The prosecution began its case against Tyler Lee Rodgers, 19, in a Torrance courtroom late Wednesday afternoon, with three witnesses testifying.
Rodgers is charged with attempted murder for slashing a store clerk's throat during a robbery last year in Manhattan Beach, among other charges.
On Wednesday in court for about one hour's worth of proceedings, Rodgers went from appearing to be calm, still and silent to rocking his body in his chair, asking for his medications, smacking his forehead on the defense table and being unable or unwilling to stand up out of the chair to be escorted from the courtroom.
The courtroom bailiff and deputy then wheeled him in the chair into an adjacent holding room, their arms positioned to hold the somewhat spastic appearing Rodgers in place.
Presiding Judge Mark S. Arnold also went inside the holding room with the two officers, told Rodgers to calm down, then stand up. Rodgers complied and the chair was returned to its position at the defense table.
After the proceeding, District Attorney Ethan Milius said Rodgers was putting on a "show" and that doctors have been consulted and deemed him sane. He noted how Rodgers took handcuffs, gloves and a rifle to rob the Cigar & Smoke Shop as evidence he is "goal driven."
In the Aug. 16, 2012 robbery, Rodgers allegedly pulled a shotgun from a cardboard box, forced the clerk to the back of the store and handcuffed him, took money from the cash register and slashed the clerk's throat with a knife before fleeing.
The clerk, who underwent surgery for lacerations to his neck, has recovered and is expected to testify in the trial.
Milius also said Rodgers was "totally coherent" when he waived his right to a jury trial and cited recent poor courtroom behavior by Rodgers that wasn't seen again the same day after the defendant saw his mom.
Last year, Rodgers' trial was suspended for a psychiatric evaluation after the defendant put feces on his face in the holding room. He reportedly ate his own feces during a previous courtroom appearance.
Testimony Wednesday came from two Torrance residents whose home was ransacked and burglarized on June 4, 2012. The husband and wife each told the court they had never seen Rodgers before and had not given him permission to enter their home.
Torrance Detective Dariusz Wawryk then testified about taking DNA swabs from Rodgers for testing. During this testimony, Rodgers began to ask for his medication and repeatedly droned, "I want my radio, I want my radio."
Rodgers was convicted as a juvenile for robbery in April 2012, according to a criminal complaint. He was arrested Aug. 24, 2012 on the attempted murder charge.
The case resumes in Torrance court Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Milius intends to tie Rodgers to the June 4th Torrance home burglary.
For another reporter's account and photos of Rodgers' courtroom behavior, click here.
- Previously: Tyler Rodgers to Undergo Psychiatric Evaluation
- Previously: Suspect in MB Cigar Store Robbery Pleads Not Guilty
- Previously: Cigar and Smoke Shop Employee Stabbed During Robbery
- Previously: Police Release Suspect's Photo in Robbery, Throat Slashing
- Previously: Tyler Rodgers Identified as Suspect in Smoke Shop Robbery
- Previously: Suspect in Alleged Attempted Murder, Robbery in Custody
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