75-year-old Kendall man sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing his son's neighbor in a dispute over dog poop attacks victim's widow in court – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

MIAMI (WSVN) – A Kendall man who shot and killed his son's neighbor during a dispute over a dog has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 25 years, ending a nine-year legal battle that ended in a courtroom rage directed at the victim's widow.

Omar Rodriguez, 75, was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated assault in May.

“We, the jury, find that the defendant is guilty on the first count,” the foreman said.

Officials said Rodriguez confronted 52-year-old Jose Rey with a gun and fired the trigger after an argument over a dog that had done its business in his son's yard.

Jose, a husband and father of two children, died a few days after the shooting.

On Thursday, the judge announced the verdict against Rodriguez.

“We have determined that his sentence is life in prison, but the minimum sentence is 25 years,” said Miami-Dade District Court Judge Milton Hirsch.

Before her decision, Jose's wife Lissette Rey had called for a harsh sentence against Rodriguez.

“I beg your honor, the coward, the murderer will receive the harshest punishment,” she said.

But her statement did not please Rodriguez, who interrupted her in the middle of speaking.

“That pathetic coward was your husband. Bitch! That's why I killed him,” Rodriguez said.

After his comments, Rodriguez was escorted to a waiting room by nearby officers.

Following the judge's decision, Jose's family and friends gathered to speak to the media.

A family member showed a photo of Jose on his phone.

“I wish the death penalty had been on the table, though,” Lissette said. “I'll never see my husband again, so where's the justice? At least he's behind bars and can't hurt anyone else.”

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