Rodriguez v. State

Ramiro Rodriguez (“the defendant”) appeals his convictions for manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, burglary with an assault or battery or while armed, conspiracy to commit burglary, kidnapping, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The defendant’s primary arguments on appeal are that: (1) he was entitled to an independent act instruction on the manslaughter and attempted manslaughter counts; and (2) the trial court erred in denying his motion for a judgment of acquittal (“JOA”) on the kidnapping count because the confinement was insufficient to support a conviction…