The warrant stated Garza was read his rights and waived his right to counsel on Aug. 15. He told investigators he met with Heather Casias at the beginning of August.
Garza said Casias told him she knew Rodriguez received his government check in August, according to a search warrant. She said they could rob him, take his money and his car. Garza said he then recruited Hampton to help him with the robbery.
A plan was then made for Garza, Casias and Hampton to rob Rodriguez on Aug. 3, according to the warrant.
Casias then lured Rodriguez to a predetermined location. Hampton and Garza grabbed Rodriguez once they arrived at the location and assaulted him while Casias watched.
During the assault, they realized Rodriguez had died, so they moved his body to a secluded location in a western Lubbock cotton field, according to the warrant.
Casias, Hampton and Garza then stole his vehicle and wallet, and left the area. Casias told Garza she knew the PIN for Rodriguez’s card from a previous use while they were together making purchases.
Two days later, after Casias was questioned by law enforcement about the disappearance of Rodriguez, she was worried about authorities finding Rodriguez’s body. She and Garza decided to move his body.
The warrant states Garza and an unnamed man went to where they left Rodriguez’s body and moved it to another secluded location, this time, near Abernathy.
Arrest warrant reveals details of 79-year-old’s murder
