In December 1984 the bodies of Sam and Bea Joseph and Genevieve Abraham were found in the Josephs' apartment. The murders remained unsolved until 1993 when investigators received information linking Rodriguez and another man to the triple murder. Detectives contacted the other man, and he implicated himself and Rodriguez in the murders. Rodriguez gave conflicting accounts, but maintained he only stood lookout while others committed the murder. At trial, Rodriguez was found guilty and the jury recommended the death penalty 12-to-0. This is his direct appeal.