A New York City man accused of stabbing his former girlfriend more than 20 times appeared visibly distressed in court before confronting a photographer who was taking his picture.
Candido Rodriguez appeared handcuffed in a Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, wearing dark glasses and a beanie as he faced charges connected to the death of 33-year-old Melanie Woods.
Rodriguez, who had previously wept during his arraignment, interrupted the proceedings to object to being photographed.
After looking directly into the camera, he turned toward the three court officers standing behind him and complained about the photographer.
Although he was repeatedly told to face the judge, Rodriguez continued arguing until Judge Ann Scherzer intervened and asked what was causing the disruption.
‘Well, this is an open court,’ she said, before instructing the photographer to stop taking pictures of the defendant.
Rodriguez appeared from a psychiatric ward while awaiting an evaluation before trial. During the hearing, his legal team also discussed the possibility of negotiating a plea deal.
He has been charged with first-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with Woods’s death.
Candido Rodriguez appeared handcuffed in a Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday afternoon wearing dark glasses and a beanie as he faced charges in the death of 33-year-old Melanie Woods
Woods was discovered dead in April 2024 with more than 20 stab wounds to her torso and legs, as well as a slashed neck. Prosecutors alleged she returned from walking her dog in the early hours of April 23 after Rodriguez sent a series of angry, hostile messages
Rodriguez, who previously broke down in tears during his arraignment, interrupted the hearing and turned toward court officers to protest the photographer
Woods was found dead in April 2024 after suffering more than 20 stab wounds across her torso and legs. Her neck had also been slashed.
Prosecutors alleged that Woods had returned from walking her dog during the early hours of April 23, after Rodriguez sent a series of angry and hostile messages that appeared to go unanswered.
According to prosecutors, Rodriguez was waiting inside her Harlem apartment when she arrived home at about 7 a.m. Neighbors reportedly heard shouting, crashing sounds and screams.
The couple had been in an on-again, off-again relationship, and Woods had previously asked Rodriguez to stop contacting her, prosecutors said.
‘Around 8am, the noise stopped,’ Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Marcella Lupski said during Rodriguez’s arraignment.
‘A neighbor heard the door shut and footsteps going down the stairs,’ the prosecutor continued.
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‘The defendant brutally murdered his ex-girlfriend and left her in the bathtub of her apartment.’
Lupski added that surveillance video allegedly showed Rodriguez leaving the building and hailing a cab at approximately 8:05 a.m.
After being repeatedly told to turn around and face the judge, Rodriguez continued to argue. Judge Ann Scherzer then said the hearing was an ‘open court’ and asked that no further photographs be taken
The pair were in an on-off relationship and Woods had previously asked him not to contact her anymore
Rodriguez’s defense attorney asked for him to receive immediate medical treatment at his arraignment. The judge agreed to put him on suicide watch as he was seen ‘incredibly distraught’
Woods was later discovered when her friends grew concerned and asked for a wellness check from the New York City Police Department.
Rodriguez’s defense attorney asked for him to receive immediate medical treatment at his arraignment. The judge agreed to put him on suicide watch as he was seen ‘incredibly distraught.’
He wailed as he was brought into the courtroom and was inconsolable while his case was heard.
Woods was scheduled to go to California but did not make the flight, which concerned her mother and her friend who tracked her phone’s location to her apartment.
She was described as a loving dog owner who traveled, enjoyed adventure and was ‘always rooted for the underdog’.
‘To know Melanie was to love her,’ her family wrote on a GoFundMe. ‘She was a vibrant soul who brought out the best in anyone around her, this we will never forget.’
They sought funds to be able to bring her home to California.
‘It’s hard to say goodbye to someone who had a big impact on our lives,’ her family added.
Woods was scheduled to go to California but did not make the flight, which concerned her mother and her friend who tracked her phone’s location to her apartment
‘It’s always hard to lose someone you know, to let go of Melanie, and move on. But if we keep those good memories in our hearts and minds, we can find comfort and Melanie will always be with us.
‘Rest in peace, beautiful girl. We love you so much.’
Rodriguez is expected to return to court on December 1.