Man sentenced in restaurant manager's death over $30 tab Print
Wednesday, 26 March 2014 11:56

WTSP.com - The man arrested last year forpunching the manager of the New Dynasty restaurant in Sarasota pleaded guilty and has been sentenced for the fatal blow.

Sarasota Sheriff's deputies say Juan De Dios Rodriguez was one of three men who left the restaurant without paying for their $35 meal last July. When confronted by Taian "Andrew" Tian, Rodriguez punched him, knocking him to the ground and causing serious head trauma that led to his death.

Rodriguez received 11 years in prison for the manslaughter charge. He received an additional 15-year sentence for violating probation that stemmed from a prior gun charge in Manatee County.

At the time of his arrest, police say Rodriguez was a known, documented gang member with a violent history that included several weapons charges.