State v. Martinez

{23} Defendant Frank Martinez pleaded guilty to first degree murder, first degree criminal sexual penetration, conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence, and second degree kidnapping of a twelve year old girl. I would affirm Defendant’s convictions and sentence of death. The majority holds otherwise; thus, respectfully, I dissent. I agree with the majority’s rejection of Defendant’s argument that it was improper for Judge Pope to accept the plea because Judge Pearl was the assigned trial judge. I also agree with the majority’s conclusion that, because a properly reconstructed…