Ex-Cop From Beaumont Accused Of Murder: Trial Date Still Pending

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA — The case of a Beaumont man, who formerly served with Banning and Rialto police departments before being charged with murder in connection with a fatal beating at a San Bernardino house party six years ago, continues to wind through the judicial system.

Robert Delon Brown, 44, remains jailed at the Adelanto Detention Center on one count of murder and one count of perjury in connection with the June 29, 2014 beating death of 38-year-old Jesse Rodriguez of Colton.

While some of Rodriguez's attackers have already been convicted and sent to prison, Brown's fate is uncertain. He's been jailed since April 17, 2019, and a trial date is still pending. He is due to appear in court again on August 4 for the purpose of setting a trial date, according to San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office spokesperson Kimberly Fuller.

Brown is being held in lieu of $1,050,000 bail.

According to police, Rodriguez's 2014 beating death was sparked by an alcohol-fueled argument that turned into a melee. Ultimately, Rodriguez was left bleeding and unconscious after being punched and kicked in the head during the backyard brawl that actually began as a peaceful birthday celebration for the resident's girlfriend. Rodriguez died two days later from his injuries at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Brown's case has dragged on, with his arrest coming nearly five years after Rodriguez's death. In a 2019 statement to the San Bernardino Sun, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said it took time to build a case against the former police officer, who served in Rialto from November 2007 until he was fired in January 2016. Brown was a SWAT officer at the time of his discharge by the Rialto Police Department for dishonesty and violating multiple administrative policies in connection with the party. He previously worked as a Banning police officer from August 2006 to March 2007, according to the newspaper.

“In this case, there were a number of people investigated. Sometimes, after the resolution of other cases, it opens up what we can bring into court,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Bruce Brown told the newspaper.

Such a time lag isn’t unusual in complicated murder cases, according to the chief deputy DA.