Florida Man Killed His Neighbor Over Dog Poop, Causes Courtroom Chaos [VIDEO]

Omar Rodriguez, 52, was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for the second-degree murder of his neighbor, Jose Rey, and aggravated assault.

Rodriguez’s violent outburst in court underscored his brazen disregard for the consequences of his actions.

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Rodriguez’s sentencing followed his June 2015 shooting of Rey. During the court hearing, Rodriguez erupted in a disturbing display of arrogance.

As Rey’s widow, Lissette Rey, read her statement, Rodriguez stood up and yelled, “The coward was your husband. That’s why I killed him … he cried like a baby,” as seen in the video.

Law enforcement quickly removed Rodriguez from the courtroom while he continued to shout.

Before Rodriguez’s outburst, Lissette Rey had appealed to Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Milton Hirsch for the maximum possible sentence. “I beg Your Honor, the harshest sentence imposed to the coward, the murderer,” she said.

Following Rodriguez’s removal, Lissette Rey continued her statement. “I wish though the death sentence would have been on the table, but at the end of the day, Mr. Rodriguez will continue to see his family, they will be able to see him, I’ll never get to see my husband again,” she told the court. “I wasn’t listening to exactly to what he was saying, I was tuning him out, I was just reading my thoughts. His words are irrelevant. He is irrelevant in my life right now. He’s pond scum.”

Rodriguez’s conviction eliminated the possibility of capital punishment, leaving Judge Hirsch with no choice but to impose a life sentence, with eligibility for parole only after 25 years. The 75-year-old Rodriguez will remain in prison for life.

Jose Rey, 52, was walking his dog in Kendall when Rodriguez’s son’s lawn was soiled by the animal. After a heated argument, Rodriguez, who was shirtless at the time, confronted Rey and shot him three times. Rey died over a week later from his injuries. Rodriguez had also threatened Lissette Rey when she tried to aid her husband.

Rodriguez’s attempt to use Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law for immunity was rejected by the court in 2021. He claimed Rey had threatened him with a knife, but prosecutors argued Rodriguez had planted the knife on Rey’s body.

Rodriguez had a history of neighborhood disputes, including threatening a lawn worker with a machete. Local resident Sergio Garcia commented on the sentencing, “This guy has been treating neighborhoods and everything else so badly, he got what he deserved.” Garcia’s wife added, “I wish that the death sentence would have been on the table. At least he’ll be behind bars and can’t hurt anyone else.”

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