Juror Who Helped Convict Man in Stabbing Case Later Charged in Knife Attack; Defendant Seeks Retrial

In a bizarre true crime twist, a 35-year-old Washington man convicted of murder is demanding a retrial after one of the jurors in his case was later arrested for allegedly stabbing two people.

Kevin Rodriguez was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Evodio Garcia Martinez, 56, and is seeking a retrial after “Juror 14,” Connor Wohlleben, was later charged with first-degree assault.

According to Law & Crime, Rodriguez was found guilty on two counts of assault for attacking two other men with butcher knives.

Rodriguez now argues the juror’s later arrest raises serious questions about his fitness to serve during deliberations and should entitle him to a new trial.

The defendant was initially convicted of manslaughter in 2021, but successfully appealed and received a new trial, during which he represented himself. On April 10, he was convicted on the charges, the Seattle Times reported.

On February 9, 2019, Martinez was sleeping on a couch inside an apartment in Monroe when he was stabbed to death.

When the victim’s roommates returned home from a casino, they found Rodriguez standing in the dark holding two butcher knives. An argument broke out between the group, and the roommates were also attacked before Rodriguez was eventually subdued with copper wire.

“I hurt him, I hurt him,” Rodriguez told police, according to court documents obtained by The Daily Herald.

On April 13, two people were stabbed at a townhome in South Everett by a 20-year-old man who reportedly suffers from schizophrenia, according to the new trial motion obtained by the Seattle Times.

The incident occurred at a residence near 112th Street Southwest and State Route 99, according to Seattle-based Fox affiliate KCPQ.

Wohlleben, who is reportedly “Juror 14” from Rodriguez’s latest trial, allegedly forced his way inside the home and began stabbing people. He was placed in a chokehold by a 22-year-old woman at the residence until authorities arrived.

“Absolutely courageous of the 22-year-old,” Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Courtney O’Keefe said. “Her actions potentially saved the lives of her family members and herself.”

Wohlleben was arrested on suspicion of burglary and two counts of first-degree assault. His bail was set at $500,000, KOMO reported.

Authorities said Wohlleben allegedly told the victims he was “sent by Jesus” and was the “right hand of Jesus” during the incident.

Rodriguez’s latest trial motion cites alleged “juror misconduct,” along with several additional objections related to witness and defense testimony.

The motion requests an evidentiary hearing to investigate the juror’s mental state during the trial and jury deliberations.

Rodriguez is currently scheduled to be sentenced on May 13.