State v. Martinez

Following a bench trial, Roberto Martinez appeals his conviction of first degree extortion. 1 The information charged that Martinez knowingly obtained a car belonging to E.L. by means of a threat to cause her bodily harm in the future. 2

E.L. testified that during the course of a prolonged beating Martinez demanded that she sign her car over to him. Fearing that Martinez would kill her over the car, E.L. wrote out and signed a bill of sale stating that she had gifted the car to Martinez. Martinez had this bill of sale on his person at the time of his arrest.

Martinez denied that there was any…