Murder Charges Filed in Stabbing of Pismo Beach Man

UPDATE: Rodriguez appeared in court Tuesday afternoon for his arraignment but did not enter a plea. He was denied bail and is scheduled to return to court on September 30.
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ORIGINAL STORY: A man arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of another man in Pismo Beach last week has been charged with murder.

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office filed charges Tuesday against Andrew Rodriguez, 34, of Santa Maria, alleging he used a knife to kill Jonathan Perez on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at a home in the 1200 block of Price Street.

Pismo Beach police said Rodriguez fled to Ventura after the killing and later attempted suicide.

He was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after being released from a Ventura-area hospital.

Authorities have not released a potential motive for the killing.

According to the criminal complaint filed against Rodriguez, he was convicted in 2010 of several felony counts in Ventura County, including rape and burglary.

He is scheduled to be arraigned in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.