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Sentencing Postponed in Road-Rage Killing

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From Times Staff Reports

Sentencing was postponed Monday for a 19-year-old man who pleaded guilty earlier this year to gunning down another man over a broken car window.

Jose Martinez pleaded guilty in March to manslaughter for killing Steven Dale Jenkins on West Seaward Avenue in December.

Authorities said Martinez became angry when a group of men approached his car and complained about his loud music and erratic driving.

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Someone then threw a rock at Martinez’s car, smashing a window.

Martinez later returned with a 9-millimeter gun and shot Jenkins in the head, authorities said.

Martinez was charged with second-degree murder, which carries a sentence of 40 years to life in prison. The plea to manslaughter could bring up to 21 years.

Judge Charles McGrath granted a request to postpone sentencing until July 30, giving attorneys more time to consider reports filed by the probation department.

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