Sixteen-Year-Old Indicted In Killing of Second Teen
A grand jury indicted Santos Hernandez Jr. on Thursday in the killing of 16-year-old Marco Martinez, whose body was found earlier this month in a shallow grave near his Lakeland home.
Hernandez, also 16, is accused of first-degree murder. He is being prosecuted as an adult.
The indictment states Hernandez shot Martinez and also stabbed or cut him.
Martinez, a Kathleen High School student, disappeared the afternoon of April 5.
After months of unsuccessful searching, detectives continued to interview Hernandez, who provided the location of Martinez's body, according to reports from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
His body was found in a shallow grave near his house earlier this month.
Hernandez told investigators that he and Martinez were arguing over money when the attack took place, the reports state.
Martinez was the subject of an intensive search by detectives. A $10,000 reward was offered for information in the case.
A popular student at Kathleen High School, Martinez was babysitting his 3-year-old niece, Analise, on April 5. The girl was found alone outside their home about 4:30 p.m.
Martinez's brother came home to find their door ajar with the key in the lock, and his young niece didn't have the words to describe what occurred. She kept repeating the words "the store, the store."
Hundreds of dollars were left in a pair of pants in his bedroom.
If convicted of first-degree murder Hernandez could be sentenced to life in prison. Because of his age prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty.
Marco Martinez disappeared the afternoon of April 5, and detectives had searched for him for months and offered a $10,000 reward for information in the case.
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