Man Guilty of Beating Pregnant Girlfriend with Weights

Published on August 25, 2017

GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) – A Greeley man accused of beating his pregnant girlfriend with weights was convicted today on all charges after a five-day trial.

A Weld County jury found Manuel Rodriguez, 26, guilty of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, criminal mischief, and possession of a controlled substance. He now faces up to 50 years in prison.

The attack happened in the early morning hours of October 16, 2016 after Rodriguez got mad at his girlfriend for ruining his night at the bar, according to testimony during this week’s trial. Rodriguez then followed his girlfriend home and began punching her in the face.

“He used his hands, but his hands weren’t enough,” Deputy District Attorney Patrick Roche said at the closing arguments. “So he used his feet, but again, it wasn’t enough.”

According to the girlfriend, that’s when he picked up a 10-pound weight. “He striked her multiple times with the weight,” Roche said. “Over and over he repeatedly hit her. He made a plan that the victim was not going to get out of that basement alive.”

After knocking her unconscious, Rodriguez left the room. When she awoke, she managed to dial 911 before Rodriguez continued his attack. In a 911 recording, the victim can be heard yelling “You’re going to kill me” with the defendant responding “that’s my point.”

“The victim had to lay there in the fetal position, trying her best to protect her unborn baby, while he pummeled her with 10-pound weights,” District Attorney Michael Rourke said. “His criminal acts are appalling and shameful, and he deserves every day of prison he receives.

Rodriguez will be sentenced on November 15 at 2:00 p.m.