Jessie Rodriguez v. Mike McDonald

OPINION

LASNIK, District Judge:

When Jessie Rodriguez was fourteen years old, a California jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and attempted murder. Because the government relied on a coerced waiver of the right to counsel to secure this conviction, we grant Mr. Rodriguez’s request for relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2254.

I. BACKGROUND

On the evening of February 23, 2005, while Manuel Penaloza and Cynthia Portil-lo were walking near Gabanzo Park in Los Angeles, a brown minivan slowed and approached them. 1 Mr. Penaloza saw two men in the van, the driver and a passenger. The passenger asked…