Rodriguez-Romero waives preliminary hearing, will be tried as adult

On Thursday morning, the second teenager accused of brutally stabbing and killing a Pocatello woman inside her bedroom, appeared in court for what was expected to be a two-day preliminary hearing.

However, attorneys for 17-year old Isaac Rodriguez-Romero told the judge he’s waiving his right to a preliminary hearing, where he’ll now be bound over to district court where he’ll be tried as an adult on both charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

After sitting through two-days of witness testimony and a portion of evidence presented to the judge for 18-year old Dustin Alfaro’s preliminary hearing on Tuesday and Wednesday, Rodriguez-Romero’s defense team says going through the same process with their defendant wouldn’t be beneficial in their case.

Neither of the teens entered a plea, although they’ll be tried separately but face the same charges.

Prosecuting attorney for both cases Steve Herzog said it could be another year before (and if) these cases end-up going to trial.

He said, there’s so much evidence that still needs to be presented, and since this case is still under investigation, we could possibly see more evidence come forward.

The teens are accused of breaking-into 87-year old Arlyne Koehler’s home on the night of March 18, and stabbing her more than 55 times, puncturing several severe organs, including: her heart, carotid artery, and spleen.

Rodriguez-Romero’s arraignment date has not been officially set yet, but could be as soon as Monday.