Jury finds Medford man guilty of murder

Medford, Ore. — It took the jury a little less than 3 hours Tuesday, to return guilty verdicts in the case of Jose Valencia. He’s the Medford man accused of stabbing Maria Rodriguez to death in 2013.  Following two previous mistrials in the case, Rodriguez’s son spoke exclusively to NBC5 and says, justice was served.

“She had so much enthusiasm, she was lovely, she was always happy,” Jose McClellan says.

McClellan describes his mom, Maria Rodriguez, as the kind of person who would do anything for her family. She was stabbed to death outside her Table Rock Road apartment on September 1st, 2013. Jose Valencia, was arrested 3 days later and charged with her murder.

On Tuesday, a jury of 12 found Valencia guilty.

Family and friends held each other close after releasing balloons in Rodriguez’s honor. McClellan says now, they have a bit of closure.

“No matter how much time this guy spends in there I know it won’t bring her back,” McClellan says, “I’ve grown up a lot through all of this, and I wish she was still here.”

Valencia’s attorneys declined to comment, but say they will appeal their client’s conviction. Valencia is set to be sentenced on Thursday at 1 pm. He faces 25 years to life for murder.

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