GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A man accused in a Georgia State Patrol Trooper's death was set to appear in front of a Gwinnett County judge on Monday, but his hearing was rescheduled.
According to prosecutors, Gerson Ayala Rodriguez hired a new attorney, which resulted in his hearing being rescheduled. Although his bond was denied in a first appearance hearing, his official hearing was set for Monday, March 18.
Rodriquez is accused in the death of GSP Trooper Jimmy Cenescar in January. The trooper died after officers said Rodriguez zipped his motorcycle between two cars, forcing the trooper to swerve and lose control.
He was charged with felony murder, first-degree homicide, felony fleeing and attempting to elude, and reckless driving, as well as other traffic-related charges.
A crash report provided the following details about the deadly incident:
Trooper Cenescar initially attempted to continue the pursuit; the report notes, "However, both lanes were occupied by motorists traveling north." Cenescar "took evasive actions to avoid these vehicles" and "lost control and began rotating clockwise toward the east shoulder." At that point, the trooper veered off the roadway, eventually going down an embankment and hitting trees and drainage rocks.
The trooper's death came with an outpour of condolences, including from Gov. Brian Kemp.
The trooper's funeral was held earlier last month, and the governor even spoke at his funeral.
Kemp described him as a "young public safety officer" with "years of experiences and opportunities that lay ahead and a career dedicated to protecting others." The governor also said that Cenescar leaves behind a loving family and a fiancée.
Others spoke to Trooper Cenescar's personality, remembering him as a young man with a bright smile and a passion for public service and his community.