Bio

José Noey Martinez was born on December 31, 1976, and grew up in Hidalgo County, Texas. His mother, Alma Martinez, and father, José Angel Martinez III, had a troubled relationship. Alma was described as being abusive and neglectful towards her children, often leaving them in the care of family members or even abandoning them for extended periods.

When José was about five years old, Alma divorced his father and left him and his brother Brian with their maternal grandparents. During this time, they reportedly faced severe physical and emotional abuse from their grandfather. Alma did not return for five years, and when she eventually did, her relationship with her children did not improve.

As a teenager, José had limited contact with his father, who had been incarcerated for most of his life. When the family tried to live together again, Alma was still described as neglectful. She struggled to support her children financially and often relied on welfare. Alma's lifestyle, including her relationships with men, led to further instability in José's life.

Murder Story

In the early morning hours of February 19, 1995, José Noey Martinez broke into the home of Esperanza Palomo, a 68-year-old woman, while she was babysitting her blind granddaughter, Amanda, who was just 4 years old. Martinez intended to steal a television and some stereo equipment. When Esperanza confronted him, he attacked her, stabbing her multiple times with a knife. After killing Esperanza, he raped her.

Afterward, Martinez heard Amanda crying from another room. He went into her bedroom, assaulted her, and ultimately stabbed her multiple times as well. He left the scene and took some jewelry and a telephone belonging to Esperanza with him.

Later that same day, Martínez told friends about the murders, expressing disbelief that he had killed two people. He discarded his bloody clothes and attempted to return to the crime scene. His father alerted the police, who apprehended him on his way back. During questioning, Martínez confessed to the murders and gave a detailed account of the crimes, confirming the heinous actions he had taken. Blood, hair, and semen samples linked him to the scene, solidifying the evidence against him.

In January 1997, he was sentenced to death for his crimes.