Man Accused of Shooting Brother-In-Law Told Police He Needed to Protect Himself

William Rivera will go to trial on charges he shot his brother-in-law dead inside a Bristol Township residence over Labor Day weekend.

Rivera, 63, was held for trial on charges criminal homicide, reckless endangerment, and possession of an instrument of crime following his preliminary hearing before District Justice Joanne Kline on Tuesday.

Authorities allege that Rivera shot his brother-in-law – George L. Rodriquez, 59, of Trenton – around 3:30 a.m. on August 31 following a family reunion at 4401 Fayette Drive.

According testimony given by Detective Michael Slaughter, a 7-year-old boy and an adult woman were in the same room when Rivera fired the shotgun at Rodriquez, who was sitting on the living room coach.

Responding police arrived to find Rodriguez deceased in a pool of his own blood.

“[Rivera] said he felt like Mr. Rodriquez was going to kill him and he needed to protect himself,” Slaughter testified. It was not stated what Rivera was protecting himself from.

During interviews with Slaughter, Rivera said part of the Labor Day weekend disagreement was over an incident that happened at Christmas. Rivera claimed that Rodriguez mistreated his girlfriend during the holiday. Also, a 1974 incident between the two was referenced, according to Slaughter’s testimony.

The woman who was in the living room when the shooting happened told investigators after the shooting that he was asleep and did not see the incident happened. When she heard the shooting, she grabbed the 7 -year old and ran, according to testimony.

There were no signs of struggle between the two men the living room, Slaughter said.

Two spend shotgun shells and a live round were found in the living room when investigators arrived, according to testimony, the detective testified.

“It appeared to go from zero to 60 fast,” Slaughter said.

Rivera remains in prison unable to post bail.