A South Gate man charged with murdering his girlfriend after a July 4th gathering remains jailed Thursday in lieu of $2 million bail while awaiting a court appearance next month.

Oscar Rodriguez Jr., 40, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in connection with the death of 33-year-old Nancy Molina, who died Monday night of multiple traumatic injuries after being taken to a hospital from a residence in the 5200 block of Brookdale Road.

Rodriguez called 911 and reported that his girlfriend was having difficulty breathing, according to Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“When South Gate Police officers arrived to the boyfriend’s residence, the officers saw that the victim appeared to have suffered numerous blunt force injuries to her body,” the deputy said.

Rodriguez, who was arrested Monday night, is due in a Norwalk courtroom Aug. 3, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.

If convicted as charged, Rodriguez could face up to 25 years to life in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

—City News Service

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