For Immediate Release May 2, 2008                                           
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 781-897-8325

Two Lowell Men Convicted of First Degree Murder

LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today that a jury has found two Lowell men guilty of first degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Luis Daniel Rodriguez, also of Lowell. 

Jose Luis Claudio, 37, and William Santos, 43, were found guilty by a Lowell Superior Court jury of murder in the first degree and armed robbery. 

Claudio and Santos will be sentenced at 11 a.m. on Monday morning in Lowell Superior Court by Judge Frances McIntyre.

“While this verdict will never ease the loss felt by Danny Rodriquez’s family, it nonetheless holds those responsible for his death accountable for their senseless actions,” District Attorney Leone said. “I want to commend the jury for carefully considering the evidence before them and delivering a just verdict. These two first degree murder convictions should send a clear message that gun violence will not be tolerated in our communities. I also want to commend Lowell Police and Massachusetts State Police for their excellent investigative work in this case.”

At approximately 5:45 p.m. on July 26, 2005, Lowell Police responded to a report of a shooting at the corner of School Street and Pawtucket Street in Lowell.  Upon arrival at the scene, police discovered Rodriguez suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel treated Rodriguez on scene, and subsequently transported him to Lowell General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.  The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the chest. 

Investigators from State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office joined Lowell Police at the scene and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.  Upon further investigation, it was determined that Santos and Claudio had arranged for the victim to meet them at a location in order to rob the victim.  Once they arrived at the meeting spot they had pre-arranged with the victim, Claudio and Santos robbed him at gunpoint.  After taking the victim’s gold and ruby crucifix necklace, they shot the victim and ran off.     

Santos was arraigned in Lowell Superior Court on October 11, 2005 and Claudio was arraigned on October 19, 2005 in Lowell Superior Court. 

Prosecutor Beth Dunigan’s trial team also included Assistant District Attorney Meghan O’Neill and Victim Witness Advocate Dora Quiroz.

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