Man denies murder charge

Members of the Union/Park Neighborhood association were so concerned about illegal activity at 25 Union St., the scene of Monday’s fatal stabbing, they asked Police Chief Douglas Johnston to attend their meeting two weeks ago.

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Man denies murder charge Stabbing scene was trouble spot Rutland Herald | March 22, 2017 By SUSAN SMALLHEER STAFF WRITER SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Union/Park Neighborhood association were so concerned about illegal activity at 25 Union St., the scene of Monday’s fatal stabbing, they asked Police Chief Douglas Johnston to attend their meeting two weeks ago. Lori Claffee, president of the neighborhood group, said Tuesday that while neighbors had noticed things were quieter at one drug house after an arrest, similar suspicious activity had started about a month ago at 25 Union — where Betty Rodriquez, 58, was fatally stabbed Monday afternoon. “We had a meeting about two weeks ago and the building came up. It was brought up that building was getting a lot of activity, and Doug Johnston confirmed they had been there,” said Claffee, referring to the police department. The chief told the group the landlord was trying to evict the new tenants, Claffee said. According to Springfield town records, the three- apartment building has been owned by Daryl Wisch of Ludlow since 2008. “What a mess,” Claffee said Tuesday afternoon, as police continued to search the first-floor apartment rented by Rodriguez’ sister, Grace Bensley, 50. They also combed the neighborhood’s melting snowbanks for the weapon they suspect was used in the killing, a 6-inch folding knife. “People are scared,” Claffee said. “And especially people with children, are posting on Facebook, ‘I wish I could sell my house.’ People are freaked.” She added, “I don’t think it’s been a good house since forever,” but added that Johnston and the police department had been responsive to their concerns. She said she was working to organize a community rally starting at 5 p.m. Friday to show the community that people don’t have to be scared, and that “their children are safe to walk home from school.” Claffee said she was hoping to hold the rally at Union Street School, but still had to get school approval. Police say Rodriguez was killed Monday by her onagain, off-again boyfriend of 17 years, Arnaldo Cruz, 53. Rodriguez had recently moved back to Springfield from Jersey City, New Jersey, to live with her sisters and get away from Cruz, according to court records. While police were quiet Tuesday on whether illegal drugs were at the bottom of the dispute, the police chief noted in affidavits there were track marks on Rodriguez’ left arm, and there was information that she had “shot up something prior to the incident.” Bensley and her boyfriend, Eddie Cruz — Arnaldo’s brother — were both arrested last year by Springfield police for heroin and cocaine trafficking. A third sister told police Rodriguez had come back to Vermont to help Bensley get off drugs. According to police, Benzley and Eddie Cruz were evicted from an apartment at the corner of Main and Valley streets. Neighbors along Union Street said they didn’t want their names published for fear of retribution from drug dealers who live on Union and Park streets, or deliver drugs to houses on the residential roads. “Write down that license plate number,” one neighbor said, as a large, fancy car with Vermont plates drove by. He later gave the license plate number to Springfield Police Lt. Mark Fountain, who was outside 25 Union St. with Johnston, waiting for State’s Attorney David Cahill, who was coming to view the scene of the homicide for himself. Fountain and Johnston said the police department had been called to 25 Union St. repeatedly, although they were vague about what exactly had warranted the police response. Police had been at the address the night before the stabbing as well. Fountain said he had arrested Arnaldo Cruz at that address March 1 on two outstanding Vermont warrants after other officers, responding to a fight in the street outside the house, recognized Cruz. Fountain said the two warrants dated back to 2010, when Cruz left the state and lived in New Jersey until about a month ago, as far as the local police knew. He said Cruz was held for lack of $ 1,000 bail after his March 1 arrest, but was released after his arraignment.