Baltimore Resident Pleads Guilty to Murder for Fatal 2018 Stabbing

By Alyssia Davis [former] - November 29, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A Baltimore man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and accepted a plea of life on Nov. 29 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Christopher Panos. 

The prosecutor offered Rufino Martinez a plea of life, suspending all but 30 years with five years supervised probation for first-degree murder. While incarcerated, the defendant must undergo mental health treatment. 

Martinez, 21, is charged with first-degree murder and the use of a deadly weapon with intent to injure in connection to the murder of 30-year-old Arely Granados on Sept. 14, 2018. 

According to the Baltimore Police Department, at 12:36 p.m. on the day of the incident, officers were called to the 5600 block of Tramore Avenue for reports of a stabbing. There, police found Granados suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim was taken to John Hopkins Bayview Hospital, where she died shortly after. 

Judge Panos noted the defendant’s use of a deadly weapon charge was dismissed by the admission of law.

Defense counsel Robert Linthicum requested the court recommend the defendant for a youth offender program.

The victim’s nephew gave an impact statement saying, “A lot of time I would see my mom crying and screaming in her sleep.” He explained that it got so bad that his little sister could no longer sleep in the same room as her. 

The defendant’s cousin also gave a statement describing him as a “happy soul” but said his mental illness has changed him. “He was a good kid but has been through a lot of trauma,” described the defendant’s cousin.”

“I saw him have bad episodes. During his episodes, it’s not him.” 

While fighting back the tears the defendant addressed the court, saying, “I just want to ask the victim’s family for forgiveness.”