Watch CBS News

Trial Date To Be Set For Gables High Murder Suspect

MIAMI (CBS4) -- A former Coral Gables high school student accused of stabbing a classmate to death in a school courtyard, is one step closer to trial.

Monday morning, a judge set May 2nd as the date when she would set aside a trial date for Andy Rodriguez. Court officials say a trial date could be as early as June. Rodriguez is charged with second degree murder in the 2009 death of 17-year-old Juan Carlos Rivera.

Rivera was stabbed five times; the fatal wound punctured his heart, in the crowded high school's courtyard during a break between classes.

Classmates have said Rodriguez was angry that Rivera had accepted rides to school from Rodriguez's girlfriend.

In his confession, police say, Rodriguez denied having fought with Rivera because of jealousy. He told detectives he and Rivera shoved against each other as they passed in the school yard, a scuffle ensued, and he stabbed Rivera in self defense. He told investigators he did not even know Rivera's name.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.