By Marcia Moore
MIDDLEBURG — The parents of murder victim Steven Rodriguez said they’re dissatisfied with the prison sentence three men will likely receive after offering pleas in Snyder County Court Tuesday for their part in the May 11 shooting.
“I’m kind of glad it’s over, but I’m not satisfied,” said Santa Rodriguez. “We don’t think it’s enough (time in prison), but the law is the law.”
David Cannie Jr., 27, of Philadelphia, Abdul Malik Saeed Walker, 26, of Williamsport, and Irahim Musa Wells, 27, of Mill Hall, were each charged with an open count of homicide, aggravated assault, conspiracy, burglary, criminal trespass and possession of a weapon for the fatal shooting of Rodriguez in his 2078 N. Susquehanna Trail apartment in Monroe Township.
On Tuesday, each avoided a trial by pleading guilty or no-contest to a couple of the charges and could receive prison sentences ranging from a minimum of five years to a maximum 20 years.
Anthony Rodriguez said the trio who were involved in gunning down his 19-year-old son were armed and aware of what they were doing when they went to his apartment the night of the killing.
“I have no forgiveness for them,” he said.
Admitting he fired the fatal shots from a 9 mm handgun, Cannie pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and burglary in exchange for all other charges being dropped.
He faces a state prison term of seven to 20 years at sentencing to be held in the next three months.
“The plea fits the actual facts of the case,” said Cannie’s defense attorney Michael Dennehy, of Danville. “This is a third-degree (murder), not first-degree. There was no premeditation.”
Walker, who allegedly was angry about stolen marijuana and set up the confrontation that led to Rodriguez’s death, appeared addled in court as he pleaded no contest to third-degree murder and burglary in exchange for a prison term of 10 to 20 years.
Hesitating frequently as he was questioned by President Judge Harold F. Woelfel Jr., Walker said he felt “pressured from everywhere” into making the plea.
“Can I talk to my family?” he asked, turning to the gallery where friends and family sat.
“You can talk with your attorney,” Woelfel said, referring to Williamsport attorney Ronald Travis.
The judge then left the bench for 30 minutes to give Walker and Travis time to confer.
Afterward, Walker told Woelfel that he is being treated by a psychiatrist for post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety but hasn’t been taking his medication.
Despite his confused appearance, Walker said he wanted to move ahead with the no-contest plea.
Though he conceded the plea meant he felt there was enough evidence against him that might lead a jury or judge to convict him, Walker said, “It’s not saying how I feel about the situation.”
Travis assured the judge that Walker is competent and though he doesn’t always agree with his legal advice, “he understands” it.
Santa Rodriguez called Walker’s mentally confused courtroom demeanor a “ridiculous act.”
“Who is he to ask for his for his family?” Anthony Rodriguez said. “We can’t ask for Steven.”
Despite Wells’ willingness to cooperate with authorities, the Kratzerville couple said they did not want District Attorney Michael Sholley to go lightly on him.
Wells pleaded no contest to a lesser crime of felony criminal conspiracy to commit manslaughter and burglary.
He faces a five to 10 year prison term for the conspiracy charge and 27 months to 54 months for the burglary charge, with the judge deciding whether the penalties will be served consecutively or concurrently at sentencing early next year.
Lewisburg defense attorney Stephen Becker described Wells as remorseful.
“He’s very sorry about everything. He never intended for anyone to be harmed or killed,” he said.
The Rodriguez’s don’t want any of the men involved in their son’s death to contact them just as Cannie did in an apologetic letter earlier this year.
“I don’t have forgiveness to give them,” Anthony Rodriguez said. “I don’t want apologies from them and I don’t want anything sent to us.”
