Illegal immigrant pleads guilty to murdering wife in Cedar Park

WeAreAustin.com
February 3, 2011

An illegal immigrant and Austin resident has been sentenced to 60 years for killing his wife in Cedar Park.

35-year-old Hernan Mendieta, a Honduran citizen who illegally immigrated to the United States over a decade ago, pleaded guilty to the murder of his estranged wife Ruth Rodriguez in a Williamson County court Wednesday.

Mendita also pled guilty to aggravated assault for shooting at the witness who saw him murder his wife. He received 20 years from the judge for that charge.

Both sentences will run concurrently.

On Oct. 26 last year, Mendieta had kidnapped Rodriguez when she dropped off their 4-year old son at a childcare facility on Airport Boulevard in Austin.

Mendieta forced her to drive to Brushy Creek Road in Cedar Park where a witness saw the car parked on the side of the road.

According to the witness, Mendieta was standing outside the car at the driver side door where Rodriguez was sitting inside. When the witness stopped to see if they were having car trouble, that’s when Mendieta pointed a handgun at Rodriguez and shot her in the head.

Mendieta then turned the gun on the witness and fired at him, hitting the windshield. The driver was able to speed away and call 911. He was not hit by a bullet or seriously hurt.

Mendieta was quickly found by Cedar Park patrol officers walking along West Parmer Lane and taken into custody. Police found a .38 caliber revolver in his waistband with two rounds missing.

Mendieta was read his Miranda warnings but quickly confessed to shooting his wife.

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