Two brothers in Georgia were sentenced to decades in prison for attacking their roommate during a heated argument over Mexican politics and religion, prosecutors said Monday.
A Carroll County jury convicted Hector Rodriguez, 56, and Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra, 47, of attempted murder, aggravated assault and aggravated battery. Hector Rodriguez was also convicted of attempting to flee a police officer and driving under the influence.
Hector Rodriguez was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by 11 years of probation, and Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra to 30 years.
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The incident began on March 11, 2023, at the home the three of them were renting together, the Carrolton Police Department said.
Jesus Rodriguez and Hector Rodriguez were each sentenced to decades in prison for attacking their roommate. (Carrollton Police Department)
Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra mocked the victim's Christian faith and ripped a St. Jude pendant from the victim's neck, prosecutors said. They argued over religion and Mexican politics, authorities said.
After an initial fight on the porch, the brothers followed the victim and a witness into the driveway.
The victim said she tried to leave the house, but Hector Rodriguez gave her brother a knife and yelled “kill him.” He tried to run but was caught and stabbed in the right arm, which lacerated an artery, authorities said.
The victim ran to a church parking lot where he collapsed. A University of West Georgia student witnessed what was happening and called 911.
First responders stopped the bleeding by applying a tourniquet and the victim was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta for emergency surgery.
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The brothers fled the scene but were later arrested by police. Hector Rodriguez was under the influence of alcohol and Jesus Rodriguez was found with two knives, one of which tested positive for the victim's DNA, police said.
“This was essentially a hate crime that would have resulted in murder if not for the quick action of the Carrollton Police Department,” Coweta Judicial District Attorney John Herbert Cranford said in a statement. “I am grateful that this victim can practice her faith freely while these defendants spend decades in the Georgia prison system.”