Police wait for forensic tests on weapon

Police Chief Douglas Johnston said Wednesday investigators won’t know for sure whether the knife they found behind a building on Union Street is the weapon used in the stabbing death of Betty Rodriguez until forensic tests are completed.

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Police wait for forensic tests on weapon Rutland Herald | March 23, 2017 By SUSAN SMALLHEER STAFF WRITER Cruz Cruz SPRINGFIELD — Police Chief Douglas Johnston said Wednesday investigators won’t know for sure whether the knife they found behind a building on Union Street is the weapon used in the stabbing death of Betty Rodriguez until forensic tests are completed. Johnston confirmed that searchers found a knife Monday night in a snowbank behind a building near the apartment house at 25 Union St., where Rodriguez, 58, was mortally wounded. Her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Arnaldo Cruz, 53, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder and manslaughter and is held without bail. Rodriguez and Cruz had recently moved back to Springfield from Jersey City, New Jersey. Police said in court documents that Rodriguez moved back to Springfield to get away from Cruz and to stay with her two sisters, who both live in Springfield, and Cruz followed her to Vermont about a month ago. The couple had a fight Monday afternoon in Rodriguez’ apartment on Union Street, according to court records, and Cruz allegedly stabbed her in the neck and back. They had been in a relationship for about 17 years, family members told police. Rodriguez’ sister, Grace Bensley, witnessed the attack, according to police, and was holding Rodriguez when she died. Johnston said the knife in question must be analyzed by the Vermont crime lab before it can be confirmed as the weapon used to stab Rodriguez. In the meantime, he said police are checking to see if any other knife surfaces in the neighborhood when the snow melts. Despite finding the knife, searchers — including members of the Springfield fire and police departments and officers from the Vermont State Police — have continued to look for evidence in the area, the police chief said. Family members told police that the knife was a folding knife with a 4-inch standard blade and a black or gray handle. Cruz was arrested without incident about 100 feet from the house. Meanwhile, Lori Claffee, president of the Union Park Neighborhood Association, said plans for a community rally late Friday afternoon were looking “very iffy.” Claffee said she had received permission from both Union Street School and the Springfield Police Department to hold the rally, slated for outside the school. But she said community response would determine whether the rally happened. The Union-Park streets neighborhood association was formed about three years ago as part of an effort to combat illegal drug activity and encourage people to take pride in their neighborhood. It is one of about five neighborhood associations formed in Springfield in recent years, and is the most organized and active. Anyone interested in the rally should contact Claffee at 802 885-6388. She said she would also post it on social media to gauge public interest and support. She said if the rally is pulled together, it would be held Friday afternoon at 5 p.m., at Union Street School.