Spring Valley Murderer Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter Charge

By Sarah Morgenstern

The family of Emerson Jean-Baptist, who was shot to death in his Spring Valley apartment building on Sept. 1, 2019, hopefully, will feel some measure of relief now that his murderer: 19-year-old Jayden Rodriguez has pled guilty to the charge of manslaughter in the first degree.

Rodriguez’s sentencing is scheduled for July 19.

After bursting into Jean-Baptist’s home and opened fire numerous times, Rodriguez, who is from North Bergen, NJ, was arrested by police officers from the police departments of Spring Valley and North Bergen.

The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office helped with the investigation, and police officers from the Haverstraw Police Department recovered Rodriguez’s firearm several days later.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Stephen Moore prosecuted the case that brought a “guilty plea that will hopefully bring closure to our victim’s family and friends,” said Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh. “My office has worked diligently with the Spring Valley Police Department to prosecute this case and ensure that the defendant be brought to justice.”

“I commend the professionalism of all of our law enforcement agencies, working together to do just that.”

“We must remember our victim: Emerson Jean-Baptist lost his life at the hands of a killer."