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PRESS RELEASE 10/06/15 CONTRACT KILLER PLEADS TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR CALIFORNIA MURDERS Today in Department 4 of the Visalia Division of the Tulare County Superior Court, Judge Brett Alldredge presiding, Jose Manuel Martinez, age 53, of Richgrove, CA, pled guilty to nine counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. The murders in California occurred over a 31 year period beginning in 1980 and ending in 2011. The plea will carry a sentence of life without parole. In addition to the nine counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, Martinez pled guilty to special circumstance allegations of multiple murders, lying in wait, kidnapping and murder for financial gain. Six of the nine murder victims were killed in Tulare County, two in Kern, and one in Santa Barbara, where the defendant also attempted to kill a witness to that crime. The crimes were as follows: Martinez pled guilty to the October 21, 1980 murder of 23-year-old David Bedolla of Lindsay, CA (Tulare County). The victim was shot while driving his vehicle to work with his wife, brother, and brother-in-law. The shooting took place between Lindsay and Strathmore in Tulare County. Martinez pled guilty to the October 1, 1982 murder of 30-year-old Sylvester Ayon and the attempted murder of 17- year-old G. G., who were both shot while working on a ranch near the Santa Ynez area off Refugio road (Santa Barbara County). G.G. survived the shooting while Sylvester Ayon died from multiple gunshot wounds. Martinez pled guilty to the October 19, 1982 murder of 22-year-old Raul Gonzalez of Earlimart, CA (Tulare County). The victim was last seen at his home on October 19, 1982. Two days later his body was located by ranchers off Fountain Springs Road, east of Porterville. He had been shot and stabbed multiple times. Martinez pled guilty to the April 8, 1995 murder of 29-year-old Domingo Perez of Earlimart, CA (Tulare County). The victim was reported missing by family members on April 8, 1995. His body was located in an orange grove just north of Richgrove in Tulare County on May 23, 1995. He had been shot once in the head.

10-6-15 Jose Manuel Martinez Cartel Hitman in U.S

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El Mano Negro, a hitman (sicario) for a cartel which he refusing to name pleaded guilty in California. He is suspected of up to 50 murders in at least 3 states.

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Page 1: 10-6-15 Jose Manuel Martinez Cartel Hitman in U.S

PRESS RELEASE

10/06/15

CONTRACT KILLER PLEADS TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR CALIFORNIA

MURDERS

Today in Department 4 of the Visalia Division of the Tulare County Superior Court, Judge Brett Alldredge presiding,

Jose Manuel Martinez, age 53, of Richgrove, CA, pled guilty to nine counts of first-degree murder and one count of

attempted murder. The murders in California occurred over a 31 year period beginning in 1980 and ending in 2011. The

plea will carry a sentence of life without parole.

In addition to the nine counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, Martinez pled guilty to special

circumstance allegations of multiple murders, lying in wait, kidnapping and murder for financial gain.

Six of the nine murder victims were killed in Tulare County, two in Kern, and one in Santa Barbara, where the

defendant also attempted to kill a witness to that crime. The crimes were as follows:

Martinez pled guilty to the October 21, 1980 murder of 23-year-old David Bedolla of Lindsay, CA (Tulare County).

The victim was shot while driving his vehicle to work with his wife, brother, and brother-in-law. The shooting took

place between Lindsay and Strathmore in Tulare County.

Martinez pled guilty to the October 1, 1982 murder of 30-year-old Sylvester Ayon and the attempted murder of 17-

year-old G. G., who were both shot while working on a ranch near the Santa Ynez area off Refugio road (Santa Barbara

County). G.G. survived the shooting while Sylvester Ayon died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Martinez pled guilty to the October 19, 1982 murder of 22-year-old Raul Gonzalez of Earlimart, CA (Tulare County).

The victim was last seen at his home on October 19, 1982. Two days later his body was located by ranchers off

Fountain Springs Road, east of Porterville. He had been shot and stabbed multiple times.

Martinez pled guilty to the April 8, 1995 murder of 29-year-old Domingo Perez of Earlimart, CA (Tulare County). The

victim was reported missing by family members on April 8, 1995. His body was located in an orange grove just north of

Richgrove in Tulare County on May 23, 1995. He had been shot once in the head.

Page 2: 10-6-15 Jose Manuel Martinez Cartel Hitman in U.S

Martinez pled guilty to the February 14, 2000 murder of 56-year-old Santiago Perez of Pixley, CA (Tulare County),

who was shot to death in his bed in the early morning hours. The victim’s four minor children were home at the time of

the shooting.

Martinez pled guilty to the February 15, 2007 murder of 25-year-old Jose Alvarado (Kern County). The victim was

located on a dirt access road outside of the town of McFarland in Kern County. He had been shot multiple times.

Martinez pled guilty to the March 23, 2009 murder of 52-year-old Juan Bautista Moreno (Kern County). The victim

was located in an orange grove south of Elmo Highway near McFarland in Kern County. He had been shot multiple

times.

Martinez pled guilty to the September 30, 2009 murder of 45-year-old Joaquin Barragan of Earlimart, CA (Tulare

County). The victim was located on the bank of Deer Creek canal just east of Earlimart by ranchers working the area.

He had been missing since September 27, 2009. Mr. Barragan suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Martinez pled guilty to the February 7, 2011 murder of 54-year-old Gonzalo Urquieta of Earlimart, CA (Tulare

County). The victim was located in an orange grove just outside of the town of Richgrove, CA. He had been missing

since February 5, 2011. Mr. Urquieta was shot multiple times.

Martinez is currently serving a 50 year sentence after pleading guilty to a 2013 murder in the State of Alabama.

“Despite what we have been told, I am certain that time does not heal all wounds. For the Central Valley families who

have lost their beloved brothers, sons, and fathers at the murderous hands of Jose Manuel Martinez, there will never be

enough time to heal those wounds. But there will be justice. This serial killer and self-described “hitman” will spend the

rest of his life behind bars. There is no doubt that he has proven himself to be a grave danger to our community, so we

all will take comfort that he has been removed from society,” said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward.

“It is my fervent hope that this brings some solace to the families who survived through the loss of their loved one and

then lived many years wondering if there would ever be answers, resolution, and ultimately justice. Today there is

justice,” Ward continued. “This case could not have found resolution without the tireless efforts of Tulare County

Sheriff Mike Boudreaux and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Barbara District Attorney Joyce Dudley,

Kern County District Attorney Lisa Green, and the Santa Barbara and Kern County Sheriff Departments.”

The case was prosecuted by Supervising District Attorney David Alavezos. All six Tulare County homicides were

investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. Sentencing is scheduled for November 2 in Visalia.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare

Assistant District Attorney Daniel Underwood (559) 636-5494