Cash Feenz defendant Washington’s trial under way
The trial of Roderick Washington, accused “Cash Feenz” defendant in the 2006 double murder of Jeffery and Alexis Sosa, resumed with opening statements this morning.
He’s charged with two counts each of first-degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and faces a life prison sentence if convicted.
Assistant State Attorney Marie Doerr described the beating, torture, killing and setting fire of the Sosas at a birthday party at co-defendant Kemar Johnston’s house and a Cape Coral industrial park to 12 jurors and two alternates. She retraced Washington’s alleged involvement in the killings.
Paul Sullivan, Washington’s defense attorney, told the jury there were many people at Johnston’s house that night responsible for what happened to the Sosas. But, he said, evidence will not prove that Washington is guilty of their murders.
“There’s a bunch of people who bear responsibility in this case,” Sullivan said. “But there aren’t 10 people who are guilty of this murder. Mr. Washington is one of the people who are not guilty of this murder.”
The state has already called Cape firefighter Michael Hannon to the stand. He testified to responding to a fire in an industrial park north of Andalusia Boulevard and Kismet Parkway, which turned out to be a vehicle fire where he discovered the Sosas bodies and contacted the police department.
Cape Coral Det. Kurt Grau also took the stand. The state presented forensic video of the crime scene on a projector screen. The video shows footage of the Sosas’ bodies and burnt vehicle near a hill in the industrial park.
Washington watched the video quietly.