FORT WORTH, Texas — A Tarrant County jury has sentenced a habitual offender to 55 years in prison after finding him guilty of murder and unlawfully possessing a firearm.
The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office announced that 44-year-old Martin Farmer was convicted earlier this month of Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon in connection with the 2024 killing of Edward Ronald Rodriguez, who was also known as "Eddie" or "Bear."
According to prosecutors, the shooting occurred on May 28, 2024. Fort Worth police officers responded to the 4200 block of Hemphill Street in south Fort Worth after a 911 caller reported that a friend had been shot.
When officers arrived, they found 41-year-old Rodriguez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in an alley in the 600 block of Anthony Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined Farmer had shot Rodriguez multiple times before fleeing. He was arrested on June 4, 2024.
Prosecutors noted that Farmer is a habitual offender with a previous conviction for aggravated robbery.
Following the guilty verdicts, Farmer was sentenced to 55 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jim Zaleta and Jessica Brewer, with District Attorney investigators Erin Merritt and Bradley Gantt assisting in the investigation.
