Tomorrow, Magistrate Norman Rodriguez will make history when he goes before his boss, the Chief Magistrate to be charged for rape. Rodriguez is accused of raping his "ex" in early April, when he was on Magistrate's duties in Dangriga town. Police and the DPP's office worked on the case for a little over three weeks before deciding that there was enough evidence to bring charges. One of the complicating factors was that Rodriguez and his accuser had a prior relationship, and, another was that she took five days to make a report. Yesterday, she told Courtney Weatherburne that she almost didn't report it, but claims she was provoked by Magistrate Rodriguez when he went to visit her mother after the alleged rape:...
Voice of: Alleged Rape Victim
"And he still got the heart to go back to my ma house - even though I was there. Still went back…and the Sunday I was making food, and he still has the heart to eat, and it's my money that bought the food."
Courtney Weatherburne, 7News
"So that was it, when he went there to your mother's house and wanted to eat there you decided that this can't continue, he can't continue taking advantage of you, so you decided to speak out?"
Voice of: Alleged Rape Victim
"Yes, I went and asked (the police) what I could do? Because I didn't know what to do because he was making it, and like what he said, not even the police could help me, right? So I went to ask the police what I could do. And then, they read the law, and I found out that I have a little power too."
Courtney Weatherburne, 7News
"But how do you feel now that you have, that you found your voice, that you spoke out against him and that charges will be laid against him?"
Voice of: Alleged Rape Victim
"I feel a little good, I feel…but, right now, if I even feel good, that still can't being back what done happen to me and I will always live with that now. I just wah justice."
"I just wah try get over it right now, I not even wah hear nothing about him."
Courtney Weatherburne, 7News
"Do you have the strength to face him in court?"
Voice of: Alleged Rape Victim
"Yes, I think I have it."
Courtney Weatherburne, 7News
"What do you have to say to other women who have experienced this, who have been taken advantage of who have been raped by me who they believe have the power over them?"
Voice of: Alleged Rape Victim
"That we just can't walk, we woman just can't walk with our heads down. We have to walk with our heads up high too because what a man can do out here, we can do the same thing. And we don't need to depend on any man to help us or anything too."
We stress that Rodriguez maintains that the claims made against him are false. He has declined multiple requests for an interview. We expect to speak to his attorney - reportedly Herbert Panton - when he is arraigned tomorrow.
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