UPDATE: The murder trial of Jenndry Samuel Rodriguez Contreras, 24, has been delayed until December 15, 2023, following a last-minute request from his defense attorney. This urgent development comes as Rodriguez Contreras faces charges stemming from a deadly shooting during a drug deal gone wrong in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
On October 7, 2022, Rodriguez Contreras allegedly opened fire at the rear of 199 S. Wyoming St., resulting in the death of Felix Dini, 22, and wounding Rochell Angel “Chi-Chi” Reyes-Cruz, 23. The trial was scheduled to commence next Monday, but defense attorney James Scanlon filed a motion for a continuance due to his involvement in another murder case currently in trial.
The other trial, involving Frangel Garcia Andujar, aged 23, who is charged with shooting five individuals at an underage drinking party in Hazleton, ended in a mistrial on Tuesday after a jury member was seen photographing the jury in court. Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas granted Scanlon’s request, pushing Rodriguez Contreras’ trial back to mid-December.
This case has drawn significant attention as Rodriguez Contreras is not only facing serious charges in the U.S. but is also an undocumented immigrant wanted for murder in the Dominican Republic. He is the third individual charged in connection with the shooting; the other two, Keliana Lineth Moronta Jimenez and her boyfriend Wellington Javier Marte Ramirez, were previously tried and acquitted on all counts.
Currently, Rodriguez Contreras remains incarcerated at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility without bail as he awaits his rescheduled trial. The delay raises questions about justice for the victims and the ongoing legal complexities surrounding this high-profile case.
As this situation develops, observers are urged to stay informed on further updates regarding the trial and its implications for the community. The urgency surrounding these proceedings underscores the serious nature of the allegations and the impact on those affected by the tragic events of that October night.
