Rodriguez v. State

Jason Rodriguez appeals his convictions for one count of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder following a jury trial. The sole issue raised on appeal is whether the trial court erred in granting the State’s request to instruct the jury on the insanity-hallucinations defense set forth in Florida Standard Jury Instruction (Criminal) 3.6(b). We reverse because this instruction was not applicable in Rodriguez’s case, Rodriguez properly objected to its use, and its use was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.

On November 6, 2009, Rodriguez, a former employee of…