Published 10/30/08
The girlfriend of the Hernandez man, who died Oct. 15 as the result of a head injury, is in jail on charges of breaking into the deceased man’s house, according to court documents.
Kimberly Sandlin, 46, was found inside Bobby Rodriguez’s home Oct. 18 after a neighbor reported observing an apparent break-in, documents state. The neighbor was given Rodriguez’s keys by his family and asked to watch the place and let law enforcement enter the home as necessary to investigate his death.
Sandlin was highly intoxicated and had to be assisted in keeping her balance when Rio Arriba County deputies discovered her inside the house just after midnight, court documents state. Deputies had to kick open the door when she did not follow their instructions to come out.
The deputies who responded to the original call of Rodriguez’s injury Oct. 13 told those handling Sandlin’s case that she was advised at that time not to return to the house, documents state.
Sandlin has been charged with criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor, and breaking and entering, a fourth-degree felony. She is being held at the County Jail in Tierra Amarilla on a $5,000 bond.
When Sandlin spoke to the SUN Oct. 14, she described entering Rodriguez’s house, which she described as her house, the previous night. She said she went through a window, then exited the house through the window after hearing her dog bark and finding Rodriguez lying outside with a wound to his head and left eye. Deputies found a window near the home’s front door where Sandlin could have gained entry into the Prince Drive residence, documents state.
Det. Wayne Salazar said Sandlin is not considered a suspect in Rodriguez’s death at this time. Other people interviewed in connection with his death also have been ruled out as suspects. Salazar said law enforcement was called several times to Rodriguez’s residence prior to his death to quell disputes between the couple.
No domestic violence charges were ever filed against either one of them.
“Certainly because of her history things don’t look good for her,” Salazar said. “(The recent arrest) raises an eyebrow because you’re seeing a history that involves some sort of violence.”