A local man has been charged in connection with the 2013 strangulation killing of one woman and assault of another in an Elizabeth apartment, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced Tuesday.
According to authorities, Arlie Rodriguez, 46, of Elizabeth, has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.
Officials say at approximately 10:50 p.m. on May 8, 2013, members of the Elizabeth Police Department responded to the 100 block of Madison Avenue in Elizabeth on a report of an assault, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Bruce Holmes, who is prosecuting the case.
There, investigators found the body of a woman later identified as Patricia Parham-Hayward, 48, as well as a second female, then 59, suffering from visible injuries, Holmes said.
An investigation involving Elizabeth Police Department Detective Ray Smith, Prosecutor’s Office Capt. Harvey Barnwell, and Prosecutor’s Agent Vincent Byron of the Union County Homicide Task Force ultimately revealed that a man later identified as Rodriguez allegedly spoke with Parham-Hayward on the phone just minutes prior to visiting her apartment, then entered a room with her. When Rodriguez then left the room alone moments later, he attacked Parham-Hayward’s friend, Holmes said.
According to authorities, Rodriguez was served the charges against him Tuesday, having already been in custody on unrelated charges.
Convictions on criminal offenses of this nature are punishable by terms of up to life in state prison.
These criminal charges are mere accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.