Politics & Government
Man to Stand Trial For Peet's Crow Bar Assault
Orlando Jesus Rodriguez allegedly attacked a rival gang member in front of the Belmont Peet's Coffee & Tea in March.
The man who is accused of following an altercation in front of the Belmont in March, will stand trial for the crime according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
Orlando Jesus Rodriguez, 40, plead not guilty and waived time for trial Tuesday at an arraignment hearing in San Mateo County Superior Court. Judge Lisa Novak set the case for a jury trial on July 30, 2012 8:45 a.m.; the pretrial conference is set for July 3, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. The deputy district attorney on the case is Josh Stauffer.
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On , the defendant, who is a member of the "Wanted" motorcycle gang, saw the victim, a member of a rival gang, having coffee at Peet's Coffee & Tea. The two knew each other from time spent together in San Mateo County Jail, where they got into an argument about motorcycle gangs and Hells Angels.
According to , after Rodriguez spotted the 33-year-old victim, he went to his car to retrieve a crow bar, came back and swung the crow bar at the victim's head. The victim blocked the crow bar with his left arm, causing a severe break. The defendant then stated, "Are you still claiming Hells Angels?" and walked back to his car and drove away.
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The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The defendant remains out of custody on $250,000 bail bond. His defense attorney is Mara Feiger.
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