Judge Overturns Man's 2000 Murder Conviction After New Evidence Shows Baby Died of Pneumonia
Stephen Martinez, convicted in death of 4-month-old girlfriend's daughter in 1998, released after 27 years following defense evidence of pneumonia
En resumen
- A Colorado judge overturned Stephen Martinez's 2000 first-degree murder conviction for the 1998 death of his then-girlfriend's 4-month-old daughter Heather Mares after new defense evidence showed the baby died of pneumonia.
- The Denver District Attorney's Office did not oppose the motion to dismiss.
- Martinez was released after 27 years in prison.
Resumen generado por IA
Por qué importa
This case was prosecuted under a then-new Colorado statute that allowed first-degree murder charges instead of the lesser charge of child abuse resulting in death. The prosecution argued Martinez had beaten the infant in 1998.
DENVER -- A judge on Tuesday threw out the first-degree murder conviction of a man found guilty in the death of his then-girlfriend's 4-month-old daughter nearly 30 years ago because of new evidence in the case. Stephen Martinez was convicted in 2000 and sentenced to life in prison after prosecutors argued he had beaten Heather Mares in 1998. But recently presented defense evidence that the baby died of pneumonia prompted prosecutors to reexamine the case and conclude that they could not prove Martinez was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The Denver District Attorney's Office didn't oppose a request from Martinez's lawyers at the Korey Wise Innocent Project to overturn his conviction. District Court Judge Andrew Luxen overturned Martinez's conviction, ordered him to be released from prison and dismissed the case over the objections of Mares' family, including her parents Kim Estrada and Chris Mares. They believe Martinez killed the baby and said he had not expressed any remorse. "My life was stopped 27 hears ago along with our family's," said Estrada, who began sobbing after Luxen announced his decision. Martinez was prosecuted under what was at the time a new state statute allowing first-degree murder charges instead of the lesser charge of child abuse resulting in death. Martinez declined to speak during the hearing. One of his lawyers, Jeanne Segil, said the criminal justice system failed Martinez as well as Mares' family. "This case is a tragedy on every front," she said. Martinez's aunt, Theresa Garcia, said she wished Martinez's parents, who died while he was in prison, could be be here to see if him released. "I know they are looking down on us today and smiling as their son returns home and is reunited with their loved ones," she said.
Preguntas abiertas
- What specific evidence proved pneumonia as the cause of death?
- Why did it take so long for this evidence to emerge?
- Will the victim's family pursue any civil action?
