Hyde Park woman charged with threatening prosecutor at son’s arraignment

BOSTON, November 14, 2024 – A Hyde Park woman was ordered held on $200 bail today after being charged with threatening a prosecutor during her son’s arraignment yesterday in West Roxbury BMC, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

FELICIA RODRIGUEZ, 46, is charged with intimidating a court official, threats to commit a crime and civil rights violation.  West Roxbury Judge Vanessa Velez set bail at $200 and ordered Rodriguez to stay away from the prosecutor and stay away from West Roxbury BMC except for official court business.  Velez also allowed a motion to transfer the case to another court.  Rodriguez will return to court December 19. 

Shortly after 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, an assistant district attorney was arraigning Rodriguez’s son when the ADA heard a derogatory term from the gallery.  The ADA turned, saw Rodriguez, and then saw and heard her say “watch your back.”  Several other court officials heard the remark. The remark was also captured on the court’s audio recording system.  Judge Kathleen Coffey, who was overseeing the Wednesday arraignment session, directed court officers to take Rodriguez into custody.

Hayden praised Coffey and court personnel for their actions following the incident.

“Anyone who thinks they can threaten a prosecutor, a judge or any other court official without consequences is very much mistaken. We will not tolerate such threats in any shape or form,” Hayden said.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications