Acenette Belinda Huerta, 38, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2003
Acenette Belinda G. Huerta, 38, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2003.
Mrs. Huerta was preceded in death by her daughter, Estellita Garcia.
She is survived by her husband, Benjamin Garcia Sr.; sons and daughter, parents, brothers and sisters, . She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, and uncles.
A Laredo man pleaded guilty Thursday in the 341st District Court to murdering his wife, and was sentenced to serve 60 years in prison.
Before presiding Judge Elma Salinas Ender, Santiago Martinez Jr., 40, pleaded guilty to the murder of Acenette Belinda Huerta on Aug. 22, 2003.
The incident reportedly began with a domestic dispute that escalated into a partially fulfilled murder/suicide attempt.
Laredo Police Department officials previously reported that they were alerted to the residence on the 1200 block of Musser after receiving a call from one of Huerta's three children.
The officers reportedly entered the house, only to be blocked by Martinez who was standing between the officers and the master bedroom.
The defendant was reportedly holding a box cutter knife, and was bleeding through cuts on his wrists he allegedly inflicted upon himself.
Martinez reportedly relented to the officers - giving them the knife and stepping aside.
Huerta was reportedly lying in the master bedroom, holding a bloodstained bed sheet to her neck.
Officials said Martinez allegedly slit his wrists before slashing his wife's throat.
Although the couple was transported to the Laredo Medical Center for treatment, Huerta died as a result of her injuries 11 days after the assault.
Martinez survived to face the murder charge.
During Thursday's proceedings, Martinez pleaded guilty to the first-degree felony offenses.
The horizontal scars on Martinez' wrists were visible as he stood with his hands behind his back.
The defendant indicated he did not want to say anything before being sentenced to the 60-year prison term by the judge.
Following the proceedings, his attorney, Lorraine Laurel, said her client did not want to go to trial.
"I think he regretted it right away. His intention was to die, not to kill his wife," she said, adding that Martinez reportedly asked one of the children to call 911 the day of the incident.
First Assistant District Attorney Roberto Balli, who prosecuted the case, said the case was one of several domestic violence homicides the district attorney's office has handled in the last few years.
"They're the saddest cases we handle because the children suffer so much when they lose one parent, and sometimes both parents," he said.
In this case, Huerta's children were from a previous marriage, and the children are now living with their biological father, Balli said.
He said he believes the 60-year sentence sends a "strong message" about how the district attorney's office is prosecuting domestic violence cases, and he urged any victims of domestic violence to contact the office.
Although Huerta's children did not attend Martinez's hearing Thursday, two of the victim's sisters were present in the courtroom.
Balli said he discussed the plea with the family.
"They felt that 60 years was a stiff sentence, and understood that Martinez will not be eligible for parole until he turns 70 years old," he said.
The family believed the plea bargain would allow them to move on, and would prevent the children who were eyewitnesses to the crime from reliving the event by testifying, Balli said.
He said court records indicated that Martinez was also previously convicted of a reduced class "A" misdemeanor assault offense that occurred on July 3, 2000.
Martinez was originally charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly hitting and cutting another woman.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to the lesser offense on March 16, 2001, and was sentenced to serve one year of probation and ordered to attend the Stop the Violence program.
(Times staff writer Laurel Almada can be reached at 728-2564 or e-mailed at [email protected].)
02/06/04
Back
Acenette Belinda G. Huerta, 38, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2003.
Mrs. Huerta was preceded in death by her daughter, Estellita Garcia.
She is survived by her husband, Benjamin Garcia Sr.; sons and daughter, parents, brothers and sisters, . She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, and uncles.
A Laredo man pleaded guilty Thursday in the 341st District Court to murdering his wife, and was sentenced to serve 60 years in prison.
Before presiding Judge Elma Salinas Ender, Santiago Martinez Jr., 40, pleaded guilty to the murder of Acenette Belinda Huerta on Aug. 22, 2003.
The incident reportedly began with a domestic dispute that escalated into a partially fulfilled murder/suicide attempt.
Laredo Police Department officials previously reported that they were alerted to the residence on the 1200 block of Musser after receiving a call from one of Huerta's three children.
The officers reportedly entered the house, only to be blocked by Martinez who was standing between the officers and the master bedroom.
The defendant was reportedly holding a box cutter knife, and was bleeding through cuts on his wrists he allegedly inflicted upon himself.
Martinez reportedly relented to the officers - giving them the knife and stepping aside.
Huerta was reportedly lying in the master bedroom, holding a bloodstained bed sheet to her neck.
Officials said Martinez allegedly slit his wrists before slashing his wife's throat.
Although the couple was transported to the Laredo Medical Center for treatment, Huerta died as a result of her injuries 11 days after the assault.
Martinez survived to face the murder charge.
During Thursday's proceedings, Martinez pleaded guilty to the first-degree felony offenses.
The horizontal scars on Martinez' wrists were visible as he stood with his hands behind his back.
The defendant indicated he did not want to say anything before being sentenced to the 60-year prison term by the judge.
Following the proceedings, his attorney, Lorraine Laurel, said her client did not want to go to trial.
"I think he regretted it right away. His intention was to die, not to kill his wife," she said, adding that Martinez reportedly asked one of the children to call 911 the day of the incident.
First Assistant District Attorney Roberto Balli, who prosecuted the case, said the case was one of several domestic violence homicides the district attorney's office has handled in the last few years.
"They're the saddest cases we handle because the children suffer so much when they lose one parent, and sometimes both parents," he said.
In this case, Huerta's children were from a previous marriage, and the children are now living with their biological father, Balli said.
He said he believes the 60-year sentence sends a "strong message" about how the district attorney's office is prosecuting domestic violence cases, and he urged any victims of domestic violence to contact the office.
Although Huerta's children did not attend Martinez's hearing Thursday, two of the victim's sisters were present in the courtroom.
Balli said he discussed the plea with the family.
"They felt that 60 years was a stiff sentence, and understood that Martinez will not be eligible for parole until he turns 70 years old," he said.
The family believed the plea bargain would allow them to move on, and would prevent the children who were eyewitnesses to the crime from reliving the event by testifying, Balli said.
He said court records indicated that Martinez was also previously convicted of a reduced class "A" misdemeanor assault offense that occurred on July 3, 2000.
Martinez was originally charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly hitting and cutting another woman.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to the lesser offense on March 16, 2001, and was sentenced to serve one year of probation and ordered to attend the Stop the Violence program.
(Times staff writer Laurel Almada can be reached at 728-2564 or e-mailed at [email protected].)
02/06/04
Back
Acenette Belinda Huerta, 38, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2003
Acenette Belinda G. Huerta, 38, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2003.
Mrs. Huerta was preceded in death by her daughter, Estellita Garcia.
She is survived by her husband, Benjamin Garcia Sr.; sons and daughter, parents, brothers and sisters, . She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, and uncles.
A Laredo man pleaded guilty Thursday in the 341st District Court to murdering his wife, and was sentenced to serve 60 years in prison.
Before presiding Judge Elma Salinas Ender, Santiago Martinez Jr., 40, pleaded guilty to the murder of Acenette Belinda Huerta on Aug. 22, 2003.
The incident reportedly began with a domestic dispute that escalated into a partially fulfilled murder/suicide attempt.
Laredo Police Department officials previously reported that they were alerted to the residence on the 1200 block of Musser after receiving a call from one of Huerta's three children.
The officers reportedly entered the house, only to be blocked by Martinez who was standing between the officers and the master bedroom.
The defendant was reportedly holding a box cutter knife, and was bleeding through cuts on his wrists he allegedly inflicted upon himself.
Martinez reportedly relented to the officers - giving them the knife and stepping aside.
Huerta was reportedly lying in the master bedroom, holding a bloodstained bed sheet to her neck.
Officials said Martinez allegedly slit his wrists before slashing his wife's throat.
Although the couple was transported to the Laredo Medical Center for treatment, Huerta died as a result of her injuries 11 days after the assault.
Martinez survived to face the murder charge.
During Thursday's proceedings, Martinez pleaded guilty to the first-degree felony offenses.
The horizontal scars on Martinez' wrists were visible as he stood with his hands behind his back.
The defendant indicated he did not want to say anything before being sentenced to the 60-year prison term by the judge.
Following the proceedings, his attorney, Lorraine Laurel, said her client did not want to go to trial.
"I think he regretted it right away. His intention was to die, not to kill his wife," she said, adding that Martinez reportedly asked one of the children to call 911 the day of the incident.
First Assistant District Attorney Roberto Balli, who prosecuted the case, said the case was one of several domestic violence homicides the district attorney's office has handled in the last few years.
"They're the saddest cases we handle because the children suffer so much when they lose one parent, and sometimes both parents," he said.
In this case, Huerta's children were from a previous marriage, and the children are now living with their biological father, Balli said.
He said he believes the 60-year sentence sends a "strong message" about how the district attorney's office is prosecuting domestic violence cases, and he urged any victims of domestic violence to contact the office.
Although Huerta's children did not attend Martinez's hearing Thursday, two of the victim's sisters were present in the courtroom.
Balli said he discussed the plea with the family.
"They felt that 60 years was a stiff sentence, and understood that Martinez will not be eligible for parole until he turns 70 years old," he said.
The family believed the plea bargain would allow them to move on, and would prevent the children who were eyewitnesses to the crime from reliving the event by testifying, Balli said.
He said court records indicated that Martinez was also previously convicted of a reduced class "A" misdemeanor assault offense that occurred on July 3, 2000.
Martinez was originally charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly hitting and cutting another woman.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to the lesser offense on March 16, 2001, and was sentenced to serve one year of probation and ordered to attend the Stop the Violence program.
(Times staff writer Laurel Almada can be reached at 728-2564 or e-mailed at [email protected].)
02/06/04
Back
Acenette Belinda G. Huerta, 38, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2003.
Mrs. Huerta was preceded in death by her daughter, Estellita Garcia.
She is survived by her husband, Benjamin Garcia Sr.; sons and daughter, parents, brothers and sisters, . She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, and uncles.
A Laredo man pleaded guilty Thursday in the 341st District Court to murdering his wife, and was sentenced to serve 60 years in prison.
Before presiding Judge Elma Salinas Ender, Santiago Martinez Jr., 40, pleaded guilty to the murder of Acenette Belinda Huerta on Aug. 22, 2003.
The incident reportedly began with a domestic dispute that escalated into a partially fulfilled murder/suicide attempt.
Laredo Police Department officials previously reported that they were alerted to the residence on the 1200 block of Musser after receiving a call from one of Huerta's three children.
The officers reportedly entered the house, only to be blocked by Martinez who was standing between the officers and the master bedroom.
The defendant was reportedly holding a box cutter knife, and was bleeding through cuts on his wrists he allegedly inflicted upon himself.
Martinez reportedly relented to the officers - giving them the knife and stepping aside.
Huerta was reportedly lying in the master bedroom, holding a bloodstained bed sheet to her neck.
Officials said Martinez allegedly slit his wrists before slashing his wife's throat.
Although the couple was transported to the Laredo Medical Center for treatment, Huerta died as a result of her injuries 11 days after the assault.
Martinez survived to face the murder charge.
During Thursday's proceedings, Martinez pleaded guilty to the first-degree felony offenses.
The horizontal scars on Martinez' wrists were visible as he stood with his hands behind his back.
The defendant indicated he did not want to say anything before being sentenced to the 60-year prison term by the judge.
Following the proceedings, his attorney, Lorraine Laurel, said her client did not want to go to trial.
"I think he regretted it right away. His intention was to die, not to kill his wife," she said, adding that Martinez reportedly asked one of the children to call 911 the day of the incident.
First Assistant District Attorney Roberto Balli, who prosecuted the case, said the case was one of several domestic violence homicides the district attorney's office has handled in the last few years.
"They're the saddest cases we handle because the children suffer so much when they lose one parent, and sometimes both parents," he said.
In this case, Huerta's children were from a previous marriage, and the children are now living with their biological father, Balli said.
He said he believes the 60-year sentence sends a "strong message" about how the district attorney's office is prosecuting domestic violence cases, and he urged any victims of domestic violence to contact the office.
Although Huerta's children did not attend Martinez's hearing Thursday, two of the victim's sisters were present in the courtroom.
Balli said he discussed the plea with the family.
"They felt that 60 years was a stiff sentence, and understood that Martinez will not be eligible for parole until he turns 70 years old," he said.
The family believed the plea bargain would allow them to move on, and would prevent the children who were eyewitnesses to the crime from reliving the event by testifying, Balli said.
He said court records indicated that Martinez was also previously convicted of a reduced class "A" misdemeanor assault offense that occurred on July 3, 2000.
Martinez was originally charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly hitting and cutting another woman.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to the lesser offense on March 16, 2001, and was sentenced to serve one year of probation and ordered to attend the Stop the Violence program.
(Times staff writer Laurel Almada can be reached at 728-2564 or e-mailed at [email protected].)
02/06/04
Back
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