State Supreme Court says no to Marysville gang participation charge

SAN FRANCISCO — A Marysville arrest has resulted in a California Supreme Court ruling that a suspect can't be convicted of felony gang participation if he committed the crime by himself.

Thursday's ruling in San Francisco affirmed a 3rd District Court of Appeal decision two years ago that reversed a Yuba County man's conviction on a special enhancement of committing a crime for the benefit of a street gang.

The Yuba County Superior Court case was brought forth to the state high court after the Attorney General's Office petitioned the appellate court's judgment for review.

In 2008, Joe Rodriguez Jr., 32, of Woodland, was convicted of the charge, along with felony attempted robbery after he had beaten a man and tried to take his money in Marysville.

In its 4-3 ruling, the state Supreme Court agreed with the lower court that Rodriguez — a known member of the Nortenos street gang — acted alone in committing the May 2007 robbery attempt and that his act did not fall within the specific language of state's gang enhancement statute.

Marysville police Sgt. Chris Sachs said Rodriguez was arrested after he tried to rob a man outside an apartment complex in the 1100 block of East 22nd Street.

"He (Rodriguez) pinned the victim against a truck and demanded money," Sachs said. "He was a self-admitted Norteno since he was about 14 living in Woodland."

Rodriguez's lawyer, Diane Nichols said Friday that the state Supreme Court made the right decision with its interpretation of the law.

"(Rodriguez) was acting completely on his own and he wasn't doing it for the benefit of the gang," Nichols said. "He wasn't shouting gang slogans or wearing gang paraphernalia and no other gang members were around."

The ruling takes roughly 16 months off Rodriguez's current eight-year prison sentence, Nichols said.

The Attorney General's Office declined to comment on the ruling, spokesman Nick Pacilio said Friday.