Attorneys ready to begin preliminary hearing for suspect in 6 Modesto homicides

It appears a preliminary hearing will start in two weeks for a Modesto man charged with murder in a toddler’s death and suspected in five other homicides. The hearing, scheduled to start Sept. 14, likely will include testimony from investigators and forensic pathologists.

Authorities say Martin Martinez, 30, is the lone suspect in the five deaths on July 18. But he has only been charged with murder and child abuse causing death in the Oct. 2 death of his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son, Christopher Ripley.

Prosecutors have declined to say when they will file charges in the July 18 slayings of the other five people: Dr. Amanda Crews, 38; her daughters, 6-month-old Rachael and 6-year-old Elizabeth; his mother, Anna Brown Romero, 57; and a 5-year-old girl believed to be Martinez’s niece.

The two women and three children were found dead inside a two-story house on Nob Hill Court in northeast Modesto.

Martinez’s preliminary hearing, used to determine whether there is enough evidence for the defendant to stand trial, is expected to last two to three days. The attorneys on Monday told the judge that they’re ready to proceed with the hearing; however, its start could be delayed because both attorneys are involved in trials that could last longer than expected.

Also on Monday, Stanislaus Superior Court Judge Ricardo Córdova sealed prosecution evidence, which included Child Protective Services records and information regarding previous allegations of abuse.

An arrest warrant for Martinez indicates Christopher suffered a head injury Sept. 30 and died at a hospital two days later. Day care workers documented three previous injuries the boy had suffered around the time he started potty training while under the care of Martinez, according to the warrant.

The warrant said Crews denied Martinez caused the injuries but acknowledged he was present during two of them. The document said Martinez was alone with Christopher when he suffered his fatal head injury. According to a written declaration used to obtain the warrant, Modesto police Detective Phil Owen said Martinez’s story about how Christopher was injured changed several times during the investigation.

Two days before the five people were found dead inside the house on Nob Hill Court, detectives received verbal notification from a medical expert who determined Christopher’s death was a homicide. The expert reported that the “method of death was consistent with Christopher’s head hitting the tile floor as a result of abuse,” reads the warrant.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Annette Rees asked the judge to seal the evidence from public view, because she was aware of news media requests seeking CPS records. Stephen Foley, Martinez’s attorney, joined the prosecutor in that request.

“We’re headed in the right direction, judge,” Foley said. “We just want to ensure Mr. Martinez’s right to a fair trial.”

The judge said he was not aware of such media requests, but he ordered the documents sealed. Córdova also scheduled the attorneys to return Sept. 11 for a pretrial hearing to make sure Martinez’s preliminary hearing will begin as scheduled.

Martinez did not appear in court Monday, and he is not expected to be in court on Sept. 11. The judge has given the defendant permission to appear in court only when his presence is necessary.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Attorneys ready to begin preliminary hearing for suspect in 6 Modesto homicides."