The man accused of assaulting an Idaho State Police trooper following a traffic stop in Nez Perce County last year has been released into his mother’s custody until trial.
Ricardo Rodriguez, 39, is charged with one count of misdemeanor assault in Idaho’s U.S. District Court for his role in an altercation with Trooper Jeffory Talbott on May 18, 2009, that ended with the trooper firing his weapon. Randall Ellenwood, 50, died in the shooting and Rodriguez was seriously injured.
Talbott, who was also injured in the altercation, was cleared earlier this year of any wrongdoing by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The state police has said the Talbott fired his weapon after Rodriguez and Ellenwood allegedly began “seriously physically battering” him.
Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to the assault charge last week. Among the conditions of his release, Rodriguez must not possess any firearm nor is he to use alcohol or drugs without a prescription. He is also restricted to his home except for activities approved by the court.
Rodriguez is scheduled to stand trial Oct. 12 in Coeur d’Alene.
