BRONX TEEN IS SENTENCED TO A TERM OF UP TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE MURDER OF A FELLOW JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that 16 year-old Joseph Martinez has been sentenced to a term of up to life imprisonment for the murder of an 18 year-old fellow John F. Kennedy High School student last August.

Martinez, of 31 West Mosholu Parkway, pled guilty last May to 1 count of Intentional Murder in the second degree, for the death of Delano Ashman. Acting State Supreme Court Justice John S. Moore sentenced Martinez, a juvenile offender, to an indeterminate term of 5 years to life imprisonment.

The stabbing occurred the morning of August 8, 2002 following a weeklong dispute involving the defendant’s sister. As Martinez left the school, the victim and his friend were entering the building. Words were exchanged and the group began to fight. In a written confession, Martinez admitted that he brought a knife to school and stabbed Ashman outside of John F. Kennedy High School. As Martinez fled, a group of people ran after him and restrained him until the police arrived.

Senior District Attorney Allen P. Karen of the Trial Bureau prosecuted this case.