NORTHAMPTON, Mass.—A former cook at a Northampton restaurant has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to beating a co-worker with a crowbar during a robbery.
David Rodriguez pleaded guilty in Hampshire Superior Court on Monday to armed assault with intent to murder, armed robbery and breaking and entering. He was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation.
Prosecutors say the 26-year-old Rodriguez broke into Roberto's restaurant early one morning in February when victim Lori Hopkins was already inside counting the previous day's receipts. The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that Hopkins pretended to be dead before calling 911.
Rodriguez's court-appointed lawyer said his client has struggled with drug addiction and was "on a binge" at the time of the attack.
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Information from: Daily Hampshire Gazette, http://www.gazettenet.com
