A judge in Denver has overturned the first-degree murder conviction of Stephen Martinez, who was found guilty nearly 30 years ago in the death of his then-girlfriend's 4-month-old daughter. The decision came after new evidence suggested the baby died of pneumonia, not abuse.
Martinez, now in his 50s, was sentenced to life in prison in 2000 for the 1998 death of Heather Mares. Prosecutors had argued he beat the infant, but a re-examination prompted by the new evidence led the Denver District Attorney's Office to conclude they could not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
District Court Judge Andrew Luxen overturned the conviction on Tuesday, ordering Martinez's release and dismissing the case. The ruling was made over the objections of the baby's family, including her parents Kim Estrada and Chris Mares, who maintain Martinez is guilty and noted he showed no remorse.
Estrada, sobbing after the decision, said: 'My life was stopped 27 years ago along with our family’s.' Martinez was prosecuted under a then-new state statute allowing first-degree murder charges instead of the lesser charge of child abuse resulting in death.
Jeanne Segil, one of Martinez's lawyers from the Korey Wise Innocent Project, said the criminal justice system failed both Martinez and the victim's family. Martinez's aunt, Theresa Garcia, expressed relief, saying his parents, who died while he was in prison, would be smiling down.
