KKCO11 News
http://www.nbc11news.com/content/news/456731803.html
21-year-old domestic assault victim dies from injuries
November 10, 2017
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO/KJCT)-- The victim of a domestic assault on Thursday has died. According to her father, 21-year-old Morgan Dumas passed away at the hospital Friday morning. Her dad gave us the above photo to share.
The Mesa County Coroner's Office said the cause of death is blunt force head injuries and the manner of death is homicide.
Police were called to the 2800 block of Hall Avenue Thursday morning on a report of an unresponsive female. According to a police report that's where Dumas and her boyfriend Oscar Rodriguez lived.
He's the one who called police. An affidavit outlines a night of drinking and fights between the two. He admitted to hitting her and says she hit her head. Rodriguez told police when he went to sleep she was unconscious, but breathing.
When he woke up, he couldn't get her to respond and called 911. Police arrested him on charges of assault and domestic violence. He could now face more serious charges.
The Mesa County Coroner's Office said the cause of death is blunt force head injuries and the manner of death is homicide.
Police were called to the 2800 block of Hall Avenue Thursday morning on a report of an unresponsive female. According to a police report that's where Dumas and her boyfriend Oscar Rodriguez lived.
He's the one who called police. An affidavit outlines a night of drinking and fights between the two. He admitted to hitting her and says she hit her head. Rodriguez told police when he went to sleep she was unconscious, but breathing.
When he woke up, he couldn't get her to respond and called 911. Police arrested him on charges of assault and domestic violence. He could now face more serious charges.
The Daily Sentinel
November 10, 2017
Victim of domestic assault dies from injuries
By Gabrielle Porter
A 21-year-old woman hospitalized Thursday after an alleged attack by her boyfriend has died, according to St. Mary’s Hospital.
Morgan Lee Dumas was hospitalized Thursday morning after police found her unconscious at her home at 2858 Hall Ave. Her boyfriend, 24-year-old Oscar Aaron Rodriguez, was arrested after admitting that he had twice shoved Dumas to the ground, causing her to lose consciousness both times, according to an arrest affidavit.
Dumas died at 9:43 a.m., according to hospital spokeswoman Teri Cavanagh.
Rodriguez was originally arrested on potential assault and domestic violence charges. It’s not clear what charges he will face in the wake of his girlfriend’s death.
By Gabrielle Porter
A 21-year-old woman hospitalized Thursday after an alleged attack by her boyfriend has died, according to St. Mary’s Hospital.
Morgan Lee Dumas was hospitalized Thursday morning after police found her unconscious at her home at 2858 Hall Ave. Her boyfriend, 24-year-old Oscar Aaron Rodriguez, was arrested after admitting that he had twice shoved Dumas to the ground, causing her to lose consciousness both times, according to an arrest affidavit.
Dumas died at 9:43 a.m., according to hospital spokeswoman Teri Cavanagh.
Rodriguez was originally arrested on potential assault and domestic violence charges. It’s not clear what charges he will face in the wake of his girlfriend’s death.
The Daily Sentinel
November 11, 2017
By Gabrielle Porter
A Grand Junction woman died of blunt force head injuries Friday a day after being hospitalized with severe injuries allegedly inflicted by her boyfriend during what he described as an alcohol-fueled fight that turned physical.
Morgan Lee Dumas, 21, was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center on Thursday morning, after 24-year-old Oscar Aaron Rodriguez called police to report that his girlfriend was unresponsive.
Dumas died at 9:43 a.m. Friday, according to hospital spokeswoman Teri Cavanagh.
Rodriguez, a 24-year-old who is in custody, told police that he and Dumas had been fighting Wednesday night at their home at 2858 Hall Ave. when he “responded by pushing Dumas, causing her to fall down onto the floor, where she struck her head.”
According to Rodriguez’s version of events, he checked Dumas’ pulse, carried her to a sofa in the home, and went to bed, according to police reports.
Rodriguez said Dumas later awoke and confronted him again. He said he shoved her to the ground, where, for the second time, she slammed her head and was knocked out. This time, he said, he put her in the bed next to him and, despite hearing his unconscious girlfriend’s fast and irregular breathing, went to sleep again.
The next morning, when Rodriguez couldn’t rouse Dumas, he called 911 and attempted CPR.
Dumas was hospitalized and pronounced in critical condition later that night. She died the next morning.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office determined Dumas’ death was a homicide on Friday.
Rodriguez was arrested Thursday on suspicion of felony second-degree assault and domestic violence, potential charges that are expected to change in light of Dumas’ death.
Rodriguez told police he thought Dumas was seriously injured the second time she fell, and that she fell head-first “because her feet were caught under his body when he pushed her,” according to an affidavit for his arrest.
“Rodriguez described himself as being mean when he was drunk and becoming increasingly agitated and angry with Dumas because he just wanted to go to sleep,” the report said.
“During the interview Rodriguez expressed remorse and blamed himself for what happened to Dumas,” the report said. Rodriguez is expected to appear in Mesa County Court on Monday for advisement of his charges and a bond hearing.
Friends of Dumas wrote on Facebook that she was a 2014 graduate of Brighton High School on the Front Range.
A Grand Junction woman died of blunt force head injuries Friday a day after being hospitalized with severe injuries allegedly inflicted by her boyfriend during what he described as an alcohol-fueled fight that turned physical.
Morgan Lee Dumas, 21, was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center on Thursday morning, after 24-year-old Oscar Aaron Rodriguez called police to report that his girlfriend was unresponsive.
Dumas died at 9:43 a.m. Friday, according to hospital spokeswoman Teri Cavanagh.
Rodriguez, a 24-year-old who is in custody, told police that he and Dumas had been fighting Wednesday night at their home at 2858 Hall Ave. when he “responded by pushing Dumas, causing her to fall down onto the floor, where she struck her head.”
According to Rodriguez’s version of events, he checked Dumas’ pulse, carried her to a sofa in the home, and went to bed, according to police reports.
Rodriguez said Dumas later awoke and confronted him again. He said he shoved her to the ground, where, for the second time, she slammed her head and was knocked out. This time, he said, he put her in the bed next to him and, despite hearing his unconscious girlfriend’s fast and irregular breathing, went to sleep again.
The next morning, when Rodriguez couldn’t rouse Dumas, he called 911 and attempted CPR.
Dumas was hospitalized and pronounced in critical condition later that night. She died the next morning.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office determined Dumas’ death was a homicide on Friday.
Rodriguez was arrested Thursday on suspicion of felony second-degree assault and domestic violence, potential charges that are expected to change in light of Dumas’ death.
Rodriguez told police he thought Dumas was seriously injured the second time she fell, and that she fell head-first “because her feet were caught under his body when he pushed her,” according to an affidavit for his arrest.
“Rodriguez described himself as being mean when he was drunk and becoming increasingly agitated and angry with Dumas because he just wanted to go to sleep,” the report said.
“During the interview Rodriguez expressed remorse and blamed himself for what happened to Dumas,” the report said. Rodriguez is expected to appear in Mesa County Court on Monday for advisement of his charges and a bond hearing.
Friends of Dumas wrote on Facebook that she was a 2014 graduate of Brighton High School on the Front Range.
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The Daily Sentinel
November 14, 2017
Man suspected of killing his girlfriend held on $1M bond
by GABRIELLE PORTER
A 24-year-old Grand Junction man accused of fatally injuring his girlfriend during a drunken fight last week is being held in the Mesa County Jail on a $1 million bond while prosecutors and police decide what type of homicide charges they will file against him.
Oscar Aaron Rodriguez, who was arrested Thursday after 21-year-old Morgan Lee Dumas was found unresponsive at the couple's home at 2858 Hall Ave., was arraigned Monday afternoon by Mesa County Judge Michael Grattan.
Rodriguez said little during the hearing, where Assistant District Attorney Rich Tuttle asked that a high bond be imposed in light of Dumas' death Friday.
Tuttle said Monday that members of his office and the Grand Junction Police Department are currently reviewing the case, and hope to decide on the specific homicide charges they will seek against Rodriguez sometime this week, "if at all possible."
Rodriguez told police that on two occasions between Wednesday night and Thursday morning he pushed Dumas to the floor where she hit her head and was knocked unconscious. He called 911 Thursday morning when he couldn't wake her. She died a day later at St. Mary's Medical Center.
Dumas and Rodriguez appear to have had a tumultuous past, according to Tuttle, who in court mentioned an earlier call to police from the couple's home.
"This is not the first domestic violence incident in the relationship," Tuttle said.
According to court records, police were called to the couple's home two months ago for a reported fight, only to find Dumas with a bloody nose and facial fractures and Rodriguez with a cut on his cheek and an injured finger. Dumas quickly claimed responsibility for cutting her boyfriend with a knife, although she said it was an accident and she only meant to hit him with car keys. Rodriguez said he punched Dumas several times in the face but claimed it was in self-defense.
Dumas was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Rodriguez was listed as a victim in the case.
Tuttle said Monday his office is revisiting the facts in that case, although he didn't elaborate on what a revisitation might entail.
Dumas' father — accompanied Monday in court by more than a dozen friends and family members — asked for a high bond as well, saying Rodriguez has extensive family in Mexico.
"I and my family fear that if he does bond out, he will run and we will never see him again," Alden Wayne Dumas said.
Tuttle said his office, too, views Rodriguez as a flight risk, noting that the 24-year-old has few ties to the Grand Junction area except his enrollment at Colorado Mesa University.
A university spokeswoman confirmed Monday that Rodriguez was a student, but said he is currently suspended pending the outcome of his case.
Deputy Public Defender Joseph Destafney didn't make any argument Monday except to ask that bond be set in Rodriguez's case.
Grattan ordered the $1 million cash-only bond and set Rodriguez's next appearance for 8:15 a.m. Nov. 21 before Mesa County District Judge Valerie Robison.
Oscar Aaron Rodriguez, who was arrested Thursday after 21-year-old Morgan Lee Dumas was found unresponsive at the couple's home at 2858 Hall Ave., was arraigned Monday afternoon by Mesa County Judge Michael Grattan.
Rodriguez said little during the hearing, where Assistant District Attorney Rich Tuttle asked that a high bond be imposed in light of Dumas' death Friday.
Tuttle said Monday that members of his office and the Grand Junction Police Department are currently reviewing the case, and hope to decide on the specific homicide charges they will seek against Rodriguez sometime this week, "if at all possible."
Rodriguez told police that on two occasions between Wednesday night and Thursday morning he pushed Dumas to the floor where she hit her head and was knocked unconscious. He called 911 Thursday morning when he couldn't wake her. She died a day later at St. Mary's Medical Center.
Dumas and Rodriguez appear to have had a tumultuous past, according to Tuttle, who in court mentioned an earlier call to police from the couple's home.
"This is not the first domestic violence incident in the relationship," Tuttle said.
According to court records, police were called to the couple's home two months ago for a reported fight, only to find Dumas with a bloody nose and facial fractures and Rodriguez with a cut on his cheek and an injured finger. Dumas quickly claimed responsibility for cutting her boyfriend with a knife, although she said it was an accident and she only meant to hit him with car keys. Rodriguez said he punched Dumas several times in the face but claimed it was in self-defense.
Dumas was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Rodriguez was listed as a victim in the case.
Tuttle said Monday his office is revisiting the facts in that case, although he didn't elaborate on what a revisitation might entail.
Dumas' father — accompanied Monday in court by more than a dozen friends and family members — asked for a high bond as well, saying Rodriguez has extensive family in Mexico.
"I and my family fear that if he does bond out, he will run and we will never see him again," Alden Wayne Dumas said.
Tuttle said his office, too, views Rodriguez as a flight risk, noting that the 24-year-old has few ties to the Grand Junction area except his enrollment at Colorado Mesa University.
A university spokeswoman confirmed Monday that Rodriguez was a student, but said he is currently suspended pending the outcome of his case.
Deputy Public Defender Joseph Destafney didn't make any argument Monday except to ask that bond be set in Rodriguez's case.
Grattan ordered the $1 million cash-only bond and set Rodriguez's next appearance for 8:15 a.m. Nov. 21 before Mesa County District Judge Valerie Robison.
The Daily Sentinel
December 05, 2017
Man faces assault, manslaughter charges in death
by GABRIELLE PORTER
A 24-year-old man accused in the death of his girlfriend in November has been charged with reckless manslaughter and second-degree assault.
Oscar Aaron Rodriguez appeared Tuesday before Mesa County District Judge Valerie Robison for formal filing of charges in the Nov. 10 death of Morgan Lee Dumas.
Dumas, a 21-year-old Brighton native and a former Colorado Mesa University student, was found unresponsive at the couple's home at 2858 Hall Ave. Rodriguez told police that twice between Wednesday night and Thursday morning he pushed Dumas to the floor where she hit her head and was knocked out. Dumas died the next day at St. Mary's Medical Center.
Rodriguez was arrested and held on a $1 million cash bond while prosecutors decided what type of homicide charges to file against him. Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein wrote in an email Tuesday that his office and the lead Grand Junction Police Department detective didn't feel they had the evidence to prove second-degree murder, another charge that was considered.
"In order to prove second-degree murder we would be required to prove that Mr. Rodriguez knowingly caused the death of the victim. Legally this requires that we prove he was 'practically certain that his conduct would result in death,' " Rubinstein wrote. "After consultation with the doctors and the coroner, we do not have sufficient evidence to show that death was a certain enough result of that conduct to ethically be able to file that charge."
Rodriguez didn't speak during his hearing Tuesday, where defense attorney Tracy Badger reserved his right to a preliminary hearing. Badger asked for a new hearing to be set to address Rodriguez's $1 million bond.
Prosecutor Rich Tuttle asked for the hearing to be delayed long enough to allow Dumas' family to make the trip from out of town.
Robison set Rodriguez's next hearing for Dec. 15.
According to Dumas' obituary — published Nov. 21 in the Brighton Standard Blade newspaper — the 21-year-old was a nursing student who is survived by two sets of parents and her extended family.
"She will be forever missed, and we will never forget her; it is difficult to forget someone who gave you so much to remember," her family wrote in her obituary.
by GABRIELLE PORTER
A 24-year-old man accused in the death of his girlfriend in November has been charged with reckless manslaughter and second-degree assault.
Oscar Aaron Rodriguez appeared Tuesday before Mesa County District Judge Valerie Robison for formal filing of charges in the Nov. 10 death of Morgan Lee Dumas.
Dumas, a 21-year-old Brighton native and a former Colorado Mesa University student, was found unresponsive at the couple's home at 2858 Hall Ave. Rodriguez told police that twice between Wednesday night and Thursday morning he pushed Dumas to the floor where she hit her head and was knocked out. Dumas died the next day at St. Mary's Medical Center.
Rodriguez was arrested and held on a $1 million cash bond while prosecutors decided what type of homicide charges to file against him. Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein wrote in an email Tuesday that his office and the lead Grand Junction Police Department detective didn't feel they had the evidence to prove second-degree murder, another charge that was considered.
"In order to prove second-degree murder we would be required to prove that Mr. Rodriguez knowingly caused the death of the victim. Legally this requires that we prove he was 'practically certain that his conduct would result in death,' " Rubinstein wrote. "After consultation with the doctors and the coroner, we do not have sufficient evidence to show that death was a certain enough result of that conduct to ethically be able to file that charge."
Rodriguez didn't speak during his hearing Tuesday, where defense attorney Tracy Badger reserved his right to a preliminary hearing. Badger asked for a new hearing to be set to address Rodriguez's $1 million bond.
Prosecutor Rich Tuttle asked for the hearing to be delayed long enough to allow Dumas' family to make the trip from out of town.
Robison set Rodriguez's next hearing for Dec. 15.
According to Dumas' obituary — published Nov. 21 in the Brighton Standard Blade newspaper — the 21-year-old was a nursing student who is survived by two sets of parents and her extended family.
"She will be forever missed, and we will never forget her; it is difficult to forget someone who gave you so much to remember," her family wrote in her obituary.
KKCO 11 News
March 02, 2018
https://www.nbc11news.com/content/news/Oscar-Rodriguez-has-preliminary-hearing-475712973.html
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO/KJCT)-- Oscar Rodriguez is facing charges of assault and manslaughter after police say he assaulted his girlfriend, Morgan Dumas, who later died at the hospital. He had his preliminary hearing Friday.
The courtroom was filled with Dumas' family members, many who were visibly shaken and crying. When mentions of Morgan were brought up in the hearing, Rodriguez also cried audibly.
The defense and prosecution questioned Robert Heil, a detective at the Grand Junction Police Department who was involved with the case. He is set to be in court next for arraignment on the morning of April 27.
The courtroom was filled with Dumas' family members, many who were visibly shaken and crying. When mentions of Morgan were brought up in the hearing, Rodriguez also cried audibly.
The defense and prosecution questioned Robert Heil, a detective at the Grand Junction Police Department who was involved with the case. He is set to be in court next for arraignment on the morning of April 27.
The Daily Sentinel
October 5, 2018
Man guilty of manslaughter in woman's death
Girlfriend suffered brain injuries
A 25-year-old man who fatally injured his girlfriend during a drunken fight last year was found guilty of reckless manslaughter by a Mesa County jury.
Oscar A. Rodriguez, 25, was convicted of the manslaughter charge and second-degree assault in the November death of Morgan L. Dumas.
Rodriguez called 911 on Nov. 9 to report that Dumas was unresponsive after a fight turned physical earlier that morning or late the night before. Dumas, 21, was hospitalized with serious brain injuries, and died Nov. 10.
Rodriguez's story was that after heavy drinking the night before, Dumas became angry with him and started hitting him, causing him to eventually "push" her down. Rodriguez said she must have hit her head but he said he didn't realize the extent of her injuries. Later that night, he claimed, he was trying to sleep in their bed when Dumas again assaulted him and he pushed her with one arm, causing her to fall off the bed and onto the floor.
Rodriguez testified in his own defense Wednesday afternoon, where Mesa County Assistant District Attorney Rich Tuttle pushed him on his version of events, expressing skepticism that Dumas could sustain such serious internal head injuries from falling onto a carpeted floor.
Tuttle accused Rodriguez — who had emergency medical services training and who hoped to become a medical doctor — of attacking Dumas, then intentionally waiting hours before calling for help.
"Is that why you waited?" Tuttle asked him. "You knew she was in dire straits that night. You spent the night thinking of a story to tell police."
Rodriguez denied it.
"The police asked me questions," he said. "I told them what happened."
Tuttle and Rodriguez's attorneys delivered closing arguments Thursday afternoon.
Deputy State Public Defender Joseph DeStafney argued that Rodriguez may believe he's morally responsible for Dumas' death, but that doesn't mean he's legally responsible.
"Oscar has told his story over and over and over," DeStafney said. "It's been consistent. It is not the story that someone would make up to keep himself out of trouble, and it's supported by the evidence at every turn."
After just a few hours of deliberation, jurors returned the guilty verdict shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday.
Jurors found Rodriguez not guilty of second degree assault.
Rodriguez is set to be sentenced in December. He is facing between two and six years in prison plus parole.
Girlfriend suffered brain injuries
A 25-year-old man who fatally injured his girlfriend during a drunken fight last year was found guilty of reckless manslaughter by a Mesa County jury.
Oscar A. Rodriguez, 25, was convicted of the manslaughter charge and second-degree assault in the November death of Morgan L. Dumas.
Rodriguez called 911 on Nov. 9 to report that Dumas was unresponsive after a fight turned physical earlier that morning or late the night before. Dumas, 21, was hospitalized with serious brain injuries, and died Nov. 10.
Rodriguez's story was that after heavy drinking the night before, Dumas became angry with him and started hitting him, causing him to eventually "push" her down. Rodriguez said she must have hit her head but he said he didn't realize the extent of her injuries. Later that night, he claimed, he was trying to sleep in their bed when Dumas again assaulted him and he pushed her with one arm, causing her to fall off the bed and onto the floor.
Rodriguez testified in his own defense Wednesday afternoon, where Mesa County Assistant District Attorney Rich Tuttle pushed him on his version of events, expressing skepticism that Dumas could sustain such serious internal head injuries from falling onto a carpeted floor.
Tuttle accused Rodriguez — who had emergency medical services training and who hoped to become a medical doctor — of attacking Dumas, then intentionally waiting hours before calling for help.
"Is that why you waited?" Tuttle asked him. "You knew she was in dire straits that night. You spent the night thinking of a story to tell police."
Rodriguez denied it.
"The police asked me questions," he said. "I told them what happened."
Tuttle and Rodriguez's attorneys delivered closing arguments Thursday afternoon.
Deputy State Public Defender Joseph DeStafney argued that Rodriguez may believe he's morally responsible for Dumas' death, but that doesn't mean he's legally responsible.
"Oscar has told his story over and over and over," DeStafney said. "It's been consistent. It is not the story that someone would make up to keep himself out of trouble, and it's supported by the evidence at every turn."
After just a few hours of deliberation, jurors returned the guilty verdict shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday.
Jurors found Rodriguez not guilty of second degree assault.
Rodriguez is set to be sentenced in December. He is facing between two and six years in prison plus parole.
The Brighton Blade
January 10, 2019
Rodriguez receives five year sentence for manslaughter in 2017 death of girlfriend
-A A +A
By Sean Kennedy
Thursday, January 10, 2019
A former Brighton High School grad convicted of manslaughter and assault last year in the death of his girlfriend delivered a tearful apology as he was sentenced to five years in prison.
“If I could change things and bring Morgan back, I would,” Oscar Rodriguez said, according to the Grand Junction Sentinel. “I would give anything to see her right now, to hold her, to tell her I’m sorry. But I can’t.”
Rodriguez, 24, was charged Dec. 18 with reckless manslaughter and second-degree assault after 21-year-old Morgan Dumas, also a BHS graduate, died at a Grand Junction hospital Nov. 10, 2017.
Authorities found Dumas unresponsive at the couple’s Grand Junction home after the two allegedly got into an altercation. Rodriguez told police he pushed Dumas to the floor twice where she hit her head between the night of Nov. 8 and the morning of Nov. 9, 2017.
Rodriguez originally was held on a $1 million cash-only bond. Authorities lowered the bond amount to $25,000 at a Dec. 15, 2017, hearing at the Grand Junction District Court. Rodriguez posted bond and listed a Brighton address on his bond paperwork, according to the Rich Tuttle, a prosecutor with the Grand Junction office.
-A A +A
By Sean Kennedy
Thursday, January 10, 2019
A former Brighton High School grad convicted of manslaughter and assault last year in the death of his girlfriend delivered a tearful apology as he was sentenced to five years in prison.
“If I could change things and bring Morgan back, I would,” Oscar Rodriguez said, according to the Grand Junction Sentinel. “I would give anything to see her right now, to hold her, to tell her I’m sorry. But I can’t.”
Rodriguez, 24, was charged Dec. 18 with reckless manslaughter and second-degree assault after 21-year-old Morgan Dumas, also a BHS graduate, died at a Grand Junction hospital Nov. 10, 2017.
Authorities found Dumas unresponsive at the couple’s Grand Junction home after the two allegedly got into an altercation. Rodriguez told police he pushed Dumas to the floor twice where she hit her head between the night of Nov. 8 and the morning of Nov. 9, 2017.
Rodriguez originally was held on a $1 million cash-only bond. Authorities lowered the bond amount to $25,000 at a Dec. 15, 2017, hearing at the Grand Junction District Court. Rodriguez posted bond and listed a Brighton address on his bond paperwork, according to the Rich Tuttle, a prosecutor with the Grand Junction office.
