Man Admits To Trying To Kill Girlfriend
Last updated Monday, August 18, 2008 8:20 PM CDT in News
By THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fayetteville man pleaded guilty Monday to attempted first-degree murder for stabbing and trying to smother his former girlfriend.

Police said Miguel Angel Martinez, 24, went to the home of the 16-year-old Fayetteville girl about 3 a.m. Feb. 25 and tried to smother the girl while she was sleeping. The girl and her toddler daughter share an apartment with her family.

When the girl woke up and started fighting back, Martinez pulled a knife and started stabbing her.

The girl was able to calm Martinez and he dropped the knife. The girl was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center where she was treated for seven stab wounds. She didn't want to talk to police because she was afraid of Martinez, according to police.

Martinez was arrested later that day when he came to the hospital to visit the girl.

Police said Martinez said he intended to kill the girl because he thought she was cheating on him and wanted to teach her a lesson.


Martinez was sentenced to 30 years at the Arkansas Department of Correction with 12 years suspended. He was given credit for 174 days jail time served. Martinez was also ordered to complete anger management and substance abuse treatment and have no contact with the victim.

Martinez, according to prosecutors, is in the country illegally and will likely be deported upon release from prison.



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