Victim’s Death Nets Kidnaper 25 Years

A South Bay man who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of a kidnaping victim who suffocated on a gag in her mouth was sentenced Thursday to 25 years to life in state prison.

Martin Walters, 22, was sentenced for his role in the Sept. 25, 1988, death of Kristine Reyes, 21, who was kidnaped by five men, who were also prosecuted in her abduction or death.

Two men were kidnaped with Reyes and released unharmed, but she suffocated from the gag, which had chemicals resembling chloroform on it. Her body was discovered in the closet of an El Cajon apartment five days later.

Walters is facing sentencing in federal court soon for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and the use of a gun during a drug transaction.

Walters’ mother, Martha Walters, is serving a 37-month prison term imposed last September on her guilty plea of using a telephone in an unsuccessful plot to have a witness in her son’s case killed.

Vincent Walters, 24, a brother of Martin Walters, has remained a fugitive since his 1988 indictment.

Co-defendant Juan Lopez, 26, was sentenced Oct. 1 to life in prison for kidnaping for ransom. Two other co-defendants, Glen Arnold, 23, and Michael Moore, 21, are each serving 10-year state prison terms for kidnaping.