Resolution in Decade-Long Tragedy
A New York woman has finally admitted her role in the 2018 death of Evelyn Rodriguez, a grieving mother and anti-gang activist.
Deadly Dispute Over Memorial
Annmarie Drago, 63, of Patchogue, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in a Long Island courtroom on Friday. This plea comes after a series of trials and appeals stemming from the tragic incident.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 1st, with Drago facing a potential sentence of five years’ probation.
Authorities allege that Drago struck Rodriguez with her vehicle and then drove over her in Brentwood, causing the activist’s death. This occurred during a heated argument over a memorial Rodriguez had placed in front of Drago’s mother’s house.
A Mother’s Grief and a Frustrating Legal Battle
The memorial honored Rodriguez’s daughter, 16-year-old Kayla Cuevas, who had been brutally murdered by MS-13 gang members two years prior. Prosecutors claim that Drago, who was trying to sell the house at the time, removed the memorial as it deterred potential buyers.
This tragedy unfolded against the backdrop of Rodriguez’s tireless activism against gang violence, particularly MS-13. Her story gained national attention, with then-President Donald Trump acknowledging both Rodriguez and her daughter during a State of the Union address.
Legal Process Reaches a Conclusion
Initially convicted of criminally negligent homicide in 2020 and sentenced to jail time, Drago’s conviction was overturned due to prosecutorial misconduct. A subsequent trial ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury.
This latest plea deal, with probation replacing a potential prison sentence, has been approved by a judge. While prosecutors had sought a harsher sentence, the plea offers a degree of closure for Rodriguez’s family, who have endured unimaginable loss.
