Death Sentence Given in Burglary-Slaying

A burglar who forced a 20-year-old man back into his bed with his wife and then shot him in the head was sentenced to death Friday.

Miguel Angel Martinez, 28, of Paramount was also sentenced by Norwalk Superior Court Judge Michael Cowell to consecutive life terms, plus an additional 55 years, for crimes he committed while he was a fugitive after the killing.

Martinez, together with Jose Espinoza, broke into the Downey home of Jose Rios and killed him in July 1994, Deputy Dist. Atty. Lawrence C. Morrison said.

Police quickly captured Espinoza, who was convicted of murder in 1995. Martinez remained a fugitive until December of that year, when he was captured during a shootout with three sheriff’s deputies in Lakewood, the prosecutor said.

On Sept. 29, a jury convicted Martinez of murder and special circumstance allegations that qualified him for a death sentence: committing a murder during a residential burglary and attempted robbery. He was also found guilty of the attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon and other crimes. The same jury later recommended the death sentence.