Cody James Martinez

Personal Information

 * State of Arizona Inmate #151281
 * Gender: Male
 * Ethnicity: Hispanic
 * Date of Birth: December 2, 1981
 * Family Information: Unknown
 * A.K.A. Unknown

Case Information

 * Date of Offense: June 12, 2003
 * Victim: ??, age ?? male

Criminal History Before Offense

 * Unknown

Crime Description

 * Martinez and three friends robbed and beat the victim with fists, feet, and the butt of a shotgun. They then bound the victim with duct tape and drove into the desert, where Martinez shot the victim twice with a shotgun, covered his body with trash, and lit him on fire.  A patrolling police officer saw the smoke from the fire and apprehended all defendants.

Trial

 * Judge: Howard Fell
 * Prosecutor: Teresa Godoy and Kellie Johnson
 * Defense Attorney: Richard Parrish and Christian Kimminau


 * Trial commenced on November 1, 2005. On November 9, 2005, the jury returned verdicts of guilty to charges of First Degree Murder and Kidnapping.  On November 18, 2005, the defendant was sentenced to death for the murder charge and 20 years for the kidnapping charge.

Post Conviction Information

 * In 2008, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld the convictions and sentences.

External Links and References

 * AZ Department of Corrections Death Row Info
 * AZ Department of Corrections Inmate Sheet
 * Arizona Supreme Court Opinion