Porterville teen faces attempted murder trial

Beau Rodriguez, an 18-year-old Porterville resident who faces four counts of alleged attempted murder, will stand trial beginning Aug. 18.

The charges stem from a Feb. 19 incident, when Rodriguez allegedly tried to run down four other teens with a GMC Denali near the 1300 block of West Olive Avenue.

The trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in courtroom No. 11 of Tulare County Superior Court in Visalia. If convicted on all counts, “I can tell you he’s facing a life sentence,” Assistant District Attorney Shani Jenkins said.

Rodriguez previously entered a plea of not guilty, according to Public Defender Anthony DellAnno.

DellAnno said he did not want to provide any other information about the case.

Rodriguez was arrested after Porterville Police Department investigators identified him as the driver of the vehicle that reportedly injured a teenager after allegedly exchanging gang signs in the parking lot of Town and Country Market.

After the confrontation, Rodriguez allegedly tried to drive into the group of walking teens, leaving one with a shoulder blade injury, according to witness accounts and police reports.

The District Attorney’s Office has also charged Rodriguez with four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, with special allegations that the alleged crimes benefitted a criminal street gang and resulted in great bodily injury.

In addition, the attempted murder charges include three special allegations: that they benefited a criminal street gang, caused great bodily injury and involved use of a deadly weapon.

Each charge carries a minimum of 15 years in state prison, that could result in a maximum of 66 years to lifetime in prison, Jenkins said.

On average, attempted murder trials last about five to seven days, she said. Ishmael Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.

-- Contact Jenna Chandler at 784-5000, Ext. 1050, or jchandler@portervillerecorder.com.