Long Beach, California – A mistrial was declared by a judge on Tuesday as jurors could not reach a unanimous decision in the trial of Eddie Gonzalez, a former Long Beach Unified School District safety officer charged with the murder of an 18-year-old woman. After two days of deliberation, the jury was split, with the majority leaning towards convicting Gonzalez of second-degree murder while others preferred voluntary manslaughter or acquittal for the September 27, 2021, shooting of Manuela “Mona” Rodriguez near Millikan High School in Long Beach.
The jurors informed Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Richard M. Goul that further deliberations would not be productive, leading to the dismissal of the jury. Gonzalez, 54, remains free on bond as he awaits a new trial date scheduled for July 17 in Long Beach.
Rodriguez was fatally shot as she sat in a vehicle driven by her boyfriend near an intersection in Long Beach. The incident was captured on video and widely publicized by local media. Days after the shooting, Rodriguez passed away after being removed from life support, leading to Gonzalez being charged with murder the following month.
During the trial, jurors were presented with evidence and witness testimonies regarding the events leading up to the shooting. The prosecution argued that Gonzalez acted recklessly and unnecessarily resorted to deadly force, while the defense maintained that Gonzalez acted in self-defense out of fear of being hit by the vehicle.
The trial included the viewing of multiple videos capturing the moments before and after the shooting, with various witnesses providing their accounts of the events that transpired. Despite differing arguments from both sides, the jury was unable to come to a unanimous verdict, resulting in the declaration of a mistrial.
Following the mistrial, the family of Rodriguez settled a lawsuit with the school district, highlighting concerns about Gonzalez’s hiring and training. Rodriguez’s brother expressed the family’s pain and desire to prevent others from experiencing similar tragedies.
As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome of Gonzalez’s case remains uncertain, with implications for both the defendant and the community as a whole. The complexities of the case underscore the importance of thorough investigation and fair judicial processes in addressing incidents of violence and seeking justice for the victims.