Man Charged With Murder in Slaying of Neighbor
A 23-year-old Whittier man was charged with murder and other felonies Wednesday for allegedly stabbing a neighbor to death in front of her 5-year-old granddaughter.
David Anthony Martinez, 23, made his initial appearance in Whittier Municipal Court on one count each of murder with the use of a knife, burglary and child molestation. But Martinez did not enter a plea because a public defender must still be assigned to the case, according to court officials. He will be held without bail pending his Nov. 13 arraignment.
Martinez is suspected of stabbing 52-year-old Romelia Salas 27 times after breaking into her home in the 6200 block of Comstock Avenue, Deputy Dist. Atty. Gail Huttenbrauck said. Although Martinez lives a few blocks from the victim’s home, police and prosecutors said there was no indication that she knew him.
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