Bio

Manuel Antonio Rodriguez was born on January 13, 1956. He grew up in Florida. As he grew older, Rodriguez’s life took a darker turn. By the time he reached his twenties, he was involved in more serious crimes, including robbery. His choices and actions would eventually lead him down a path that ended in violence.

Rodriguez had a partner named Luis Rodriguez, who was not related to him. They worked together in criminal acts, particularly in a robbery that would have tragic consequences. These connections and early experiences formed a part of his life story leading up to his later actions.

Rodriguez was sentenced to death for his crimes on October 24, 1996. 

Murder Story

On December 4, 1984, Manuel Antonio Rodriguez, along with Luis Rodriguez, went to the apartment of Bea Sabe Joseph and Sam Joseph with the intention of committing a robbery. They forced their way into the apartment, where Bea, Sam, and Genevieve Marie Abraham, a friend of the couple, were present. During the robbery, Manuel and Luis shot all three victims in the head, killing them.

After the murders, the police discovered that some valuables, including a wedding band, a diamond watch, and a diamond bracelet, were missing from the scene. Soon after the events, Manuel made several phone calls to the police, falsely identifying himself with different names and giving misleading information about the murders. This raised suspicion, and he became a suspect in the case.

In 1992, Rafael Lopez, the brother-in-law of Luis Rodriguez, reported to the police that Luis admitted to robbing and killing the Josephs and Abraham together with Manuel. This led the police to question Luis, who confessed and implicated both himself and Manuel.

When police interviewed Manuel, he initially denied involvement but later admitted to being part of the robbery. However, he claimed that he was only acting as a lookout, and insisted that Luis and his brother were the ones who committed the murders. During the trial, Luis testified that Manuel had asked him to act as a lookout, contradicting Manuel's earlier statements.

Manuel knocked on the door at the Joseph's apartment, claiming that his children were being held hostage and demanding money. When inside, Manuel and Luis donned rubber gloves. The situation escalated when Luis found a firearm in the apartment, which led to Manuel shooting Bea and Sam Joseph. He then ordered Luis to shoot Genevieve Abraham. After the shootings, Luis quickly left the scene.

Maria Malakoff, a witness, testified that Manuel claimed he had killed Sam Joseph, while Luis killed Genevieve, and Manuel confirmed that all the victims were dead.

Ultimately, on October 24, 1996, Manuel Rodriguez was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed burglary. He was sentenced to death for the murders of Bea Sabe Joseph, Sam Joseph, and Genevieve Marie Abraham.