Two in Multine murder have cases bound over for trial

CEDAR CITY – Two Cedar City residents accused of murder now have their cases scheduled for trial in November after the court ruled Friday there was sufficient evidence to move forward.

Clarissa Bulletts, booking photo posted Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Clarissa Bulletts, booking photo posted Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Clarissa Bulletts, 19, and Eric Rodriguez, 30, appeared in 5th District Court in Cedar City before Judge Keith Barnes for preliminary hearings Friday related to the October 2014 murder of 45-year-old Shawn Leroy Multine. Both are charged with first-degree felony murder and second-degree felony obstruction of justice. Rodriguez is also facing a first-degree aggravated burglary charge.

Bulletts, who is also Multine’s stepdaughter, and Rodriquez, both pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges, according to court records.

The judge scheduled both for separate weeklong jury trials: Bulletts for Oct. 19-23; Rodriguez for Nov. 16-20.

Angelo Carrasco, 36, who is also accused of taking part in Multine’s murder, has a two-day preliminary hearing set for June 11-12. He has been charged with first-degree felony aggravated murder, first-degree felony aggravated burglary and third-degree felony aggravated assault.

Eric Rodriguez booking photo, posted Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff's Office, St. George News
Eric Rodriguez booking photo, posted Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Background

Police responded to a report of a possible homicide at a Cedar City residence the night of Oct. 21, 2014, and found Multine dead at the scene, killed by an apparent gunshot. Eyewitnesses at the scene identified Carrasco as the alleged shooter.

According to court records, Carrasco forced his way into the residence where Multine was and physically assaulted a woman by shoving her aside when he entered. After shooting Multine with a rifle, Carrasco then pointed the gun at another adult male resident of the house while threatening to kill him and chasing him through the house. He then left the scene.

Police were alerted to Carrasco’s presence at a gas station 30 minutes later and apprehended him. He was taken into custody without incident. He waived his Miranda rights and admitted to police he killed Multine, according to court records.

As the investigation into Multine’s murder progressed, Bulletts and Rodriguez were arrested Oct. 30, 2014.

Angelo Carrasco, booking photo posted Oct. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Office
Angelo Carrasco, booking photo posted Oct. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Office

Prior to the shooting, Bulletts drove Carrasco and Rodriguez to a Cedar City home where Multine was believed to be, according to court records. Rodriguez entered the home with a wooden club in hand while attempting to find and lure Multine outside to a place where Carrasco was allegedly waiting to shoot him with a high-powered rifle that Bulletts had allegedly supplied.

When their first attempt to find Multine failed, Bulletts allegedly contacted him in a second attempt to lure him to an area where Rodriguez and Carrasco were waiting.

When this attempt also failed, Bulletts remained in the area and waited as Carrasco and Rodriguez went to yet another home – the residence where Multine was. Rodriguez stood in the driveway yelling for Multine to come out of the house. When he didn’t respond, Carrasco allegedly forced his way into the home.

Carrasco and Rodriguez fled the scene following the shooting. Rodriguez allegedly aided in disposing of the gun that was used in the shooting, and then Bulletts transported both men out of the area.

Bulletts and Rodriguez were both interviewed in the days following the shooting, and each provided testimony that hindered or delayed the investigation.

St. George News Assistant Editor Cami Jim and reporter Devan Chavez contributed to this article.

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