Rolando Ruiz, Jr., Texas
Rolando Ruiz, Jr., Texas
March 8, 2017
Rolando Ruiz, Jr., was executed on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, by the state of Texas. He was pronounced dead at 11:06 pm local time, inside the Walls Unit of the Huntsville State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. His execution was delayed several hours due to appeals. Rolando was 44 years of age. He was executed for the murder of 29-year-old Theresa Rodriguez on July 14, 1992, in San Antonio, Texas. Rolando spent the last 21 years of his life on Texas’ death row.
As a child, Rolando was allegedly abused. This led to an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Rolando also claims that because of his excessive use of drugs and alcohol, he has difficulty distinguishing between fantasy and reality. Rolando dropped out of school following the 10th grade. He worked as a laborer before his arrest. Rolando was previously arrested for assaulting his ex-girlfriend and stealing her vehicle. While in prison, Rolando assaulted a jailer.
In 1992, Rolando Ruiz was hired by Michael and Mark Rodriguez to kill Michael’s wife, Theresa. Michael agreed to pay Ruiz $1,000 upfront, and another $1,000 once the job was completed. Before the hiring of Ruiz, Michael took out a $150,000 life insurance policy on his wife and himself. Michael already had a $250,000 life insurance policy.
Michael planned for Ruiz to rob and murder Theresa on July 10, 1992, when she arrived for work at a restaurant. Ruiz called off the attack when he spotted a security guard. Michael then asked Ruiz to kill Theresa when they were leaving the movies later that night. Michael and Theresa never showed up at the movies.
On July 14, 1992, Mark told Ruiz that he was to follow Michael and Theresa home from the movie theater and then kill her. When Michael pulled the car to stop at his home, Ruiz ran up to the passenger side door and shot Theresa once in the head as she attempted to exit the vehicle. Without robbing her, Ruiz fled the scene and spent the rest of the evening playing basketball. Three days later, Ruiz received his second payment of $1,000.
Mark and Michael were sentenced to life in prison after accepting plea agreements, while Rolando received the death sentence. In December of 2000, Michael broke out of prison as a member of the Texas 7. During efforts to recapture the group, police officer Aubry Hawkins was killed. Michael was sentenced to death and executed on August 14, 2008.
Two other men, Joe Ramon and Robert Silva were also sentenced to life in prison for their part in the murder of Theresa. Joe accompanied Ruiz on the night of the murder, while Robert was responsible for putting the Rodriguez brothers in touch with Ruiz. Since going to prison, Ruiz is believed to have joined the Texas Syndicate, a notorious prison gang that causes disturbances and assaults other inmates and officers.
Please pray for peace and healing for the family of Theresa Rodriguez. Please pray for strength for the family of Rolando.
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