KESQ reported Judge Sterling denied a defense motion to dismiss the refiled murder charge against William "Billy" Rodriguez.

Sufficient evidence, in the lede, and a denial of the defense's motion to dismiss, in the next paragraph, are not the same sentence. Throw out, in the last paragraph, and dismiss, above it, are not the same verb. Judge Ryan's August finding of insufficient evidence, and Judge Sterling's Friday ruling, are not the same order. He has pleaded not guilty.

KESQ, by Tommy Gallegos, published November 6, 2026, at 11:43 a.m., reported that in Indio, Calif., a judge has ruled there is sufficient evidence for the murder charge against former Silvercrest Advertising CEO William "Billy" Rodriguez to move forward. The dateline prints INDIO, CALIF. The page did not print a time zone. It reported Judge Sterling denied the defense's motion to dismiss the murder charge, allowing prosecutors to continue pursuing the case. Sufficient evidence, in the lede, and denied the motion to dismiss, in the next paragraph, are not the same sentence. It reported the decision comes after a previous ruling by Judge Ryan, who dismissed the murder count in August at the conclusion of a preliminary hearing, finding insufficient evidence to hold Rodriguez to answer on the charge. It reported prosecutors subsequently refiled the murder charge last month, maintaining that the evidence supports moving forward with the allegation, and that Judge Sterling's latest ruling now allows that charge to proceed. Last month, on that page, does not print the day. Insufficient evidence to hold him to answer, in August, and sufficient evidence for the charge to move forward, on Friday, are both on that page. They are not the same finding, and they are not the same judge. The story says the latest ruling marks a significant development, reversing the earlier procedural outcome that had resulted in the murder count being dismissed. Reverses, in that sentence, and a denial that lets prosecutors continue, above it, are not the same description of Friday's order. The last paragraph says that with Judge Sterling denying the defense's request to throw out the refiled murder charge, prosecutors can continue pursuing the allegation as the case moves forward. Throw out, and dismiss, are not the same verb. The story does not print a written order, a statute, or a next court date.

The story says Rodriguez is accused of striking 60-year-old Christina Barrington from behind as she rode her scooter along East Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City in October 2024. It says that, according to the allegations, Rodriguez left the scene following the collision, and that Barrington died the following day. Is accused of striking, and according to the allegations he left the scene, are not the same attribution line. October 2024, on that page, does not print the day. In addition to the murder charge, the story says he faces charges of felony hit-and-run causing death and driving on a suspended license. It says he has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The page does not print his age, a bail figure, or the defense lawyer's name. Friday's ruling is that the refiled murder count can proceed. It is not a verdict.

The murder count is the charge KESQ says can proceed. The felony hit-and-run causing death count and the suspended-license count are the other charges that page lists. He has pleaded not guilty. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.