Martinez gets 18 years on attempted murder charge
SCOTT F. DAVIS Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2008


Martinez

A 24-year-old Springdale man agreed on Monday to serve 18 years in prison for stabbing and trying to suffocate his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend.

Miguel Angel Martinez pleaded guilty Monday to charges of attempted murder in the first degree.

He was sentenced to 30 years: 18 in the Department of Correction and 12 years suspended. He was ordered to complete anger-management and substanceabuse classes at the DOC. He received credit for serving ® days in the Washington County Detention Center.

Martinez admitted to police that he intended to kill the victim because he thought she was cheating on him and he "wanted to teach her a lesson," according to the arrest report.

T h e v i c t i m a w o k e t o someone trying to suffocate her with a pillow early in the morning on Feb. 24. She tried to push Martinez away, but he began to stab her repeatedly with a steak knife, the victim told police.

The victim's 18-month old daughter was sleeping in a playpen next to her, according to the report.

The victim begged Martinez to calm down until he finally dropped the knife to the floor. He warned the girl not to call police, saying he would "do something worse to her "if she did, the report stated.

He also told the victim to tell family members that an intruder had entered the home and assaulted her.

Investigators at the hospital noted seven stab wounds and signs of strangulation. The stab wounds were superficial, said Jay Cantrell, chief deputy at the Washington County Sheriff's Office, after the incident.

Martinez is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, and an immigrant detainer has been placed on him by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the report.

Martinez will be deported after serving his sentence, said Meika Hatcher, 4 th Judicial District senior deputy prosecutor.
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