Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeConvicted Burglar Makes Tearful Plea

Convicted Burglar Makes Tearful Plea

Shaun Rodrigues makes tearful plea to Hawaii Parole Board. Shaun Rodrigues makes tearful plea to Hawaii Parole Board.

HONOLULU (KHNL) - A judge found him guilty, and the Hawaii Supreme Court upheld his conviction. But Tuesday, the so-called Manoa home invader made a tearful plea to the Hawaii Parole Board. KHNL News 8's Minna Sugimoto was inside Halawa Prison, as Shaun Rodrigues continued proclaiming his innocence.

When inmates appear before the parole board, they usually express remorse, say they've changed, and beg for leniency. Not Shaun Rodrigues. The man, who once ran newspaper ads asking for the public's help in clearing his name, made a plea for immediate release.

He once served our country. He's now serving time. Former National Guardsman Shaun Rodrigues says life in the big house is tough.

"Not being able to see my two-year-old son. It's hard enough I gotta see him through a glass," he said through tears.

A judge found Rodrigues guilty of breaking into a Manoa home, tying up a woman and her daughter, and robbing them. The 26-year-old, who earlier installed an alarm system in the house, maintains he's a victim of mistaken identity.

"It hurts to sit in my cell every day, waiting for the day my innocence will be proven," he said.

The Hawaii Supreme Court upheld the conviction. Despite that, Rodrigues' attorney asks the board to release him on parole immediately.

"You can let him out at this very moment," William Harrison, defense attorney, said. "Forget about the levels we have here, the criteria that you follow. There's no criteria for an innocent person being in prison."

But prosecutors argue both victims pointed the finger at the same man.

"There was no reason for them to lie, to make up, to embellish," Russell Uehara, deputy prosecutor, said. "There was no reason for them to falsely accuse an innocent person."

For the sake of those women, prosecutors want Rodrigues locked up for his full 20-year term.

"They think about this case every day," Uehara said of the victims. "Every day they come home, they wonder is someone in my house waiting for me with a gun."

Parole board members say they have in the past released inmates they thought were innocent, despite their convictions. The panel is expected to issue its decision on Rodrigues in two weeks.

Minna Sugimoto

Comments
Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. Notify us of any inappropriate comments by clicking the “Mark as Offensive” link. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register
See all comments
Close windowBranding

Convicted Burglar Makes Tearful Plea

Close window

Recently most viewed...

One dead after rental car goes off cliff, bursts into flames

Updated:

One person is dead after a rental car plunged off a cliff and burst into flames in Leeward Oahu Saturday night. A passer-by reported seeing More>>

Man pinned under van at construction site

Updated:

A man is hospitalized after being pinned underneath a van that crashed. It happened at a construction site on Skyview Loop in the... More>>

Broken pipe causes 'super' headaches

Updated:

Crews have fixed a broken water pipe in the Wahiawa town area on Sunday. Water has also been restored to all affected businesses. The Board of More>>

Police officer's brother in critical condition after motorcycle crash

Updated:

A motorcyclist was in critical condition with a head injury, after a crash on the H-1 Freeway Sunday afternoon. It happened on the east-bound side near the University off-ramp... More>>

Leaders react to the passing of Cec Heftel

Updated:

Hawaii's leaders react to the passing of former Congressman and broadcaster Cec Heftel. Heftel died Thursday... More>>

Recently most commented... More>>

Toyota Hawaii dealers begin fixing faulty gas pedals

Updated:

Safety. That's what Hawaii Toyota dealers say comes first after a massive nationwide recall of some of its vehicles, all involving sticky gas More>>

Somber memorial held for hit-and-run victim

Updated:

A somber memorial was held Friday to honor a young woman who died at a McDonald's drive-thru.  About 30 of Raelynn Adam's friends and family... More>>

Aloha, Mayor Fasi

Updated:

Frank Fasi, who served as Honolulu mayor longer than any other person, died Wednesday night... More>>

Remembering Frank Fasi: Viewers respond

Updated:

Viewers fondly remember "The Mayor". Please send us your memories of Mayor Frank Fasi... More>>

Missing real estate agent's car located in Hauula

Updated:

The search for a missing Oahu real estate agent intensified Tuesday, after his car was located on Oahu's... More>>

Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 WorldNow and KHNL/KGMB, a Raycom Media station. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
>