Defendant Convicted of Stabbing Death on Folsom Boulevard

DATE: May 14, 2026

CASE: Roderick Earl Sowells (Case #23FE019860)

PROSECUTOR: Principal Criminal Attorney James Wax, Homicides

Roderick Earl Sowells was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder. The jury also found true the allegation that Sowells used a deadly weapon in the commission of the murder.

On August 12, 2023, the victim and his friend were sitting on a bench at a Folsom Boulevard light rail station in Rancho Cordova. Roderick Earl Sowells exited a light rail train and approached the two men. Sowells got into an altercation with the victim's friend, which ended with the friend throwing a glass bottle at Sowells. The bottle hit Sowells in the head. Sowells pulled out a sharp object and challenged the victim's friend to a fight, but the friend walked away and left the area. Sowells then turned his anger toward the victim and stabbed him 18 times with the sharp object. A witness observed the victim on the ground and called 911. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries a few weeks later.

An allegation that Sowells has a prior strike conviction on a sexual assault charge and aggravating factors will be determined at the sentencing hearing.

Sowells faces a maximum sentence of 31 years to life in prison. Sentencing is set for July 17, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Department 15B before the Honorable Michael Sweet.