The suspect in one of the most infamous crimes ever committed in San Antonio is one step closer to execution today, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Rolando Ruiz, now 44, was sentenced to death for being the hit man in the murder of USAA employee Theresa Rodriguez back in 1992.The victim was shot to death as she opened the car in the driverway of her northwest side home followng a romantic 'date night' with her husband Michael. Prosecutors say it was part of a plot between Ruiz and MIchael Rodriguez to divvy up the proceeds from Theresa's company insurance policy.
The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says it was 'unpersuaded' by Ruiz' claim that he had 'insufficient legal counsel' during his trial.'
Ruiz was one hour away from execution back in 2007 before the same appeals court halted it for further review.
Michael Rodriguez was one of the leaders of the infamous 'Texas Seven' escape from the Connolly Maximum Security prison unit near Kleburg in 2000. He was executed in 2008 for the murder of an Irving police officer, Aubrey Hawkins, who was killed when the escapees were robbing a store in a north Texas mall.