Oct. 22, 2013 By Christian Murray
A 44-year-old Queens man pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter yesterday for fatally stabbing his brother’s 27-year-old roommate.
The defendant, Adam Rodriguez, had only been released from Rikers Island (on unrelated charges) hours before the grizzly incident.
Rodriguez, who faces a 20-year prison sentence, testified that he went to his brother’s apartment at 12-18 37th Avenue in Long Island City on March 18, 2010, looking for a place to stay.
William Edmonds, the roommate of the defendant’s brother, was the only one home at the time and he called Rodriguez’s brother on the phone to ask him if it was okay for Rodriguez to stay.
However, according to testimony, Rodriguez’ brother refused to let him stay and an argument ensued about money. In lieu of the money, Rodriguez said he would take his brother’s leather coat.
When Edmonds attempted to stop Rodriguez from taking the coat, Rodriguez stabbed him once in the chest and fled.
Edmonds was taken to the hospital, suffering a stab wound to the chest that had punctured his heart. He died from his injuries approximately four months later.
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