PLAINFIELD, Ind. — A Plainfield man accused of making racial comments before shooting and killing two Hispanic men in September 2022 could wind up on death row if convicted of murder.
On Monday, Hendricks County Prosecutor Loren Delp filed a motion with the Indiana Supreme Court declaring his office's intention to seek the death sentence for Dalonny Rodgers.
"This is the first time in modern history our office has sought the death penalty," Delp said. "In the State of Indiana, the death penalty is reserved for the rarest of homicide cases. It is a decision that must not be taken lightly."
Rodgers is accused of being the triggerman in a quadruple shooting outside of a hotel in Plainfield in the fall of 2022.
Previous stories detail how Rodgers approached the four Hispanic victims outside the White House Suites. The men had been enjoying a pleasant September night and were listening to music and drinking.
A survivor recounted that Rodgers approached the group while "forcibly laughing" and proceeded to slap some of the men on their chests and laugh in their faces. He walked away allegedly stating, "F*** Latinos" before returning with a gun and opening fire.
Rodgers shot at the group of men at least 11 times.
Jose Rolando Castaneda Varela and Alfredo Garcia were among the four victims who were shot. Both men died from their injuries.
"Our office's review of the facts of the case and the law, including possible mitigating and aggravating circumstances, supports the filing of the death penalty in this case," Delp said. "Ultimately, that decision will be up to a jury."
Rodgers was on the run until being nabbed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, one year after the deadly shooting.
Rodgers is charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. His jury trial is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2024.
While state-backed executions remain legal in Indiana, no prisoner has been put to death in the state in 15 years. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and Attorney General Todd Rokita have recently pushed to change that by filing a motion with the Indiana Supreme Court to set a date for the state's first execution in 15 years.
The pause on executions in Indiana reportedly stemmed from a lack of lethal injection drugs, with many drugmakers not wanting their products used in the killing of prisoners. Holcomb said the state has recently acquired a new supply of drugs, however, to carry out executions.