Charges Filed in Attack on Coach

Misdemeanor battery charges were filed Thursday in Torrance against two men who allegedly assaulted South Torrance High’s football coach last month because of a relative’s lack of playing time.

John Blaz Martinez, 34, of Lomita was charged with one count each of battery, battery against a school employee and battery on school property, said Robert Acciani, Torrance’s chief deputy city attorney. Martinez’s brother, Anthony Julio Martinez, 23, of Lomita, was charged with two counts each of battery, battery against a school employee and battery on school property because he also allegedly struck a South Torrance assistant coach, Acciani said.

The Martinez brothers will be arraigned in South Bay Judicial District court Nov. 21.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in county jail, Acciani said. The maximum fine for battery is $1,000. The maximum fine for battery against a school employee and battery on school property is $2,000 for each count.

The Martinezes were arrested Oct. 20, after the incident that occurred shortly after South Torrance’s 24-21 loss at North Torrance.

John Martinez was reportedly angry that his son, running back and linebacker John Martinez Jr., had carried the ball only three times in the loss to North Torrance and allegedly confronted Spartan Coach Brett Peabody.

According to police, after a short conversation, the elder Martinez, without provocation, hit Peabody from behind and knocked him to the ground, where he also was struck by Anthony Martinez.

Anthony Martinez also allegedly struck Chad Nammack, a South Torrance assistant who was coming to Peabody’s aid.

Torrance police booked the Martinez brothers on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and released them.

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office reviewed the case and referred it to the city prosecutor’s office because it did not meet felony criteria.