Man mistakenly released from Monterey County jail at one time, convicted of murder

Monday a Monterey County jury convicted 36-year-old Anotonio Martinez of first degree murder.

The Salinas man was found guilty of murdering Juan Pedraza after a seven day trial and only three hours of jury deliberation.

On March 18, 2014, Pedraza was at his home in Salinas with his nephew, when Antonio Martinez pulled his GMC Yukon into the driveway.

Investigators say the victim’s nephew briefly spoke to Martinez before going into the backyard of the house in order to let the Pedraza and Martinez talk.

Investigators say at that point Martinez pulled out a shotgun and shot Pedraza twice at close range.

Officers found the GMC Yukon the next morning and took samples which revealed gunshot residue on the inside and outside of the driver’s side door.

The DA’s Office said the investigation determined that Pedraza had a meth addiction and Martinez had been selling drugs and had gotten a shotgun the month before the shooting.

Antonio Martinez will be sentenced on June 9th and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years-to-life in prison.