Three men accused in Cathedral City beating plead not guilty to murder

Three men who allegedly beat a man outside a Cathedral City bar last summer, rendering the victim comatose from injuries that ultimately proved fatal, pleaded not guilty to murder charges today.

Jorge Tapia, 37, Andrew Ponce, 44, and Michael Rios, 36, are accused of attacking Rolando Rodriguez June 25 outside the Block Sports Bar and Grill.

Rodriguez lingered in a coma until he died on Oct. 26, sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Tapp said.

Tapia and Ponce, in custody since last July, were initially charged with attempted murder and robbery, but murder charges were filed last week against both men. Both the attempted murder and robbery charges have since been dropped.

Prosecutors filed a murder charge Thursday against Rios, arrested in connection with the beating in January and also initially charged with attempted murder and robbery.

Tapia and Ponce were taken into custody in Cathedral City just over a month after the attack, which occurred about 2 a.m. outside the bar at 68955 Ramon Road.

All three men are being held on $1 million bail. Tapia and Ponce are next due in court June 15, while Rios is next due June 16.