A San Jose three-striker will spend the rest of his life in prison for repeatedly stabbing his father and shooting a gun at police three months later.
According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Joe Paul Martinez, 37, has already spent most of his adult life behind bars on various convictions, including a drive-by shooting.
Prosecutors say Martinez had been out of jail in connection with the drive-by shooting for only two months on July 13, 2010 when he was charged with the brutal beating and stabbing of his father, who survived the attack. Facing attempted murder charges, he disappeared.
Court records show that Martinez was located by San Jose police on October 21, 2010 after he ran a red light. It was during this incident that he fired on one of the arresting officers. The officer wasn’t hit, but Martinez was hospitalized after other officers returned fire. A search of the vehicle turned up two handguns and methamphetamine, prosecutors say.
“Over and over, this defendant has proved he is a dangerous menace,” Deputy District Attorney Angela Berhard said. “This sentence ensures that he will never again be free to hurt residents or the officers who protect us.”
Martinez pleaded guilty to his third strike last October. He received a sentence of 95 years-to-life in prison today in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
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