Confessed killer will spend maximum time under juvenile law of seven years in custody

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Emotional interaction statements from Sergio Martin's household were work successful juvenile tribunal connected Tuesday.

We were not allowed to grounds audio of those almighty words, but moments later, a justice sentenced the 16-year-old slayer to the maximum word of 7 years successful custody. That includes 377 days of clip served.

"The household is disappointed by the maximum clip allowed nether the law; they consciousness that 7 years is not a conscionable magnitude for the execution of Sergio Martin," says Erica Gonzales, an Assistant District Attorney with the Tulare County District Attorney's Office.

The lad was 15 years aged erstwhile helium changeable Martin aggregate times astatine the victim's Dinuba location successful November of 2023.

Prosecutors accidental the teen broke successful to perpetrate a burglary.

He aboriginal returned to the country to get the weapon and different items with 2 men who are present facing assemblage trials for their roles.

The teen was identified done surveillance video and aboriginal confessed to the crime.

Martin was a beloved teacher successful Orosi whose nonaccomplishment impacted galore successful the community, particularly his family.

Relatives accidental his begetter died of a bosom onslaught caused by overwhelming grief conscionable 4 months aft his son's murder.

"It's a large nonaccomplishment for the assemblage of Cutler-Orosi, and we consciousness for the household to person mislaid a beloved assemblage subordinate and recognize their disappointment that the maximum word of confinement is 7 years for a insignificant that committed specified a horrible act," says Erica.

By law, the teen tin beryllium held until the property of 25, but if helium meets expectations portion successful custody, helium could beryllium released astir the property of 22.

In court, the justice spoke astir his erstwhile run-ins with police, though astir of the juvenile records are sealed.

"A transgression specified arsenic homicide usually does stay connected the grounds of a juvenile, but due to the fact that of the laws perpetually changing, I cannot accidental with certainty what his grounds volition look similar successful presumption of the aboriginal and whether it remains connected his record," explains Erica.

As for Sergio Martin's family, they didn't privation to talk connected camera aft the sentencing.

But during interaction statements, Martin's ma said, "I unrecorded with sorrow each day. I anticipation to beryllium capable to unrecorded again and smile, but for now, I unrecorded with sadness each azygous day."

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