Man Accused of Double Homicide in Worcester Ordered Held Without Bail
A tragic incident unfolded in Worcester last month when a 76-year-old woman, Sergia Acosta, and her 58-year-old daughter, Anna Maria Martinez, were brutally stabbed to death in their apartment. The alleged perpetrator, William Rodriguez, 59, appeared in court on Friday, where he was ordered to be held without bail.
Family and friends of the victims gathered in the Worcester courtroom, having just attended the funeral of Acosta and Martinez earlier that morning. Overwhelmed by grief, a family member described the victims as sweet, loving, caring, and hilarious, highlighting the immense loss their loved ones are experiencing.
A significant detail emerged during the proceedings – Rodriguez had a previous relationship with Martinez. This revelation sheds light on a possible motive for the heinous crime. Prosecutors presented surveillance video that places Rodriguez at the crime scene, making him the last person seen leaving the apartment before the victims were discovered. This crucial evidence strengthens the case against him.
Rodriguez was apprehended three days after the murders in the Bronx, New York City. This is not the first time he has faced such grave charges. In 2004, he was charged with murdering his wife at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester, where they were both employed. However, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, rather than first-degree murder, and served 15 years in prison. Shockingly, the parole board recommended his release in 2018, a decision that is now under scrutiny given the recent tragedy.
The community is now left mourning another loss, grappling with the devastating impact of this senseless act of violence. A relative of Acosta and Martinez, Genesis Berrios, expressed the hope that justice will be served, preventing other families from enduring similar pain at the hands of “this evil person.”
Rodriguez entered a plea of not guilty to two counts of murder during his court appearance. The case will continue next month, when further details and evidence may come to light. The outcome of this trial will be pivotal in determining the fate of the accused and providing some closure to the grieving families and community affected by this tragedy.
