AUSTIN, Texas – In December, 20-year-old Martin Rodriguez was granted bond on a felony gun charge, despite having been convicted of a felony charge just three months prior, according to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. Two and a half weeks later, he was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend, Naomi Davis. Court records showed Rodriguez had a history of encounters with law enforcement, including possession of a firearm. He had previously been sentenced to 60 days in state jail for a 2022 felony charge of driving a stolen vehicle.
According to affidavits, Rodriguez was arrested again on a felony charge of illegal possession of a weapon, and was found to be in possession of illegal drugs in that encounter and others. He was then arrested for the murder of his girlfriend, Naomi Davis, after allegedly shooting her and then himself. Davis’ mother and stepfather spoke out about her troubled relationship with Rodriguez, describing her as a bubbly and smart person, and sharing their regret of not preventing the tragedy.
This case brings controversy to bond reform, as it is not an isolated incident. Just weeks before, the Austin Police Association highlighted a similar case in which a man with previous violent charges was also let out on bond only to be arrested on murder charges days later. The public outcry has led to calls for the Texas legislature to address bond reform. Governor Greg Abbott also weighed in on the issue, expressing frustration over the failure to pass a constitutional amendment that would have allowed judges to deny bonds outright to certain criminals charged with violent crimes.
Despite efforts to address the issue, tragic cases like this one continue to raise questions about the effectiveness of bond policies and the potential risks they pose to the community. The tragic death of Naomi Davis serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety of individuals when making decisions about bond for individuals with a history of violent and criminal behavior.