BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Eighth Judicial District Judge Emilio J. Chavez on Monday granted conditions of release to Vicente Martinez, 45, in a Taos County case. Martinez was arrested last month in connection with the murder of Abraham Fernandez and wounding of Isaac Fernandez by allegedly stabbing each of them in the ear in Llano Quemado, near Taos.

Martinez is charged with first degree murder – willful and deliberate – a capital felony; two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon; and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

According to District Court documents, prior to the scheduled hearing on the state’s expedited motion for pre-trial detention, the District Attorney’s Office orally withdrew its motion and Vicente Martinez waived his preliminary hearing.

Conditions of release for Martinez order by Judge Chavez included: House arrest with permission to travel for work, medical and legal appointments. Pre-trial services are to monitor Martinez under Pretrial Monitoring Level 3, which is a high-intensity level of pretrial supervision for defendants released from custody while awaiting trial.

Martinez is also allowed four hours a week to run errands and deal with other life necessities as determined by Pre-Trial Services. He is not allowed to possess any firearms or deadly weapons and is required to provide verification of no firearms in his possession or in within his household within two days of his release. He is to have no contact with witnesses or alleged victims in the case, including social media. Martinez is also required to maintain employment. He is currently employed as a Facilities Manager for Los Alamos County.