Bond upped to $500,000 in Monday stabbing

CLOVIS — A magistrate court judge has increased the bond to $500,000 for a Clovis man accused of stabbing a woman to death on Monday.

Lorenzo Martinez, 50, was arraigned before Judge Richard Hollis via videoconference Wednesday.

Martinez told police he stabbed Mary Neal about 18 times and had sex with her twice after she died. He was arrested Monday night on an open count of murder and tampering with evidence in connection with Neal's death.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, District Attorney Andrea Reeb requested the bond increase.

“We don’t believe the $100,000 bond is appropriate in this case,” said Reeb, who also amended the charges to include two counts of third-degree criminal sexual penetration. “We have an individual who gave a full confession for this crime. We’re asking the bond go to $500,000 cash only. He stated he enjoyed what he did many times and said he would kill again because it felt so good. This is not a typical murder. This is a murder in which the victim was stabbed 16 to 18 times.”

Chandler Blair represented Martinez during the arraignment.

“This is absurd,” he said with regard to the bond increase request. “And quite frankly, it’s a waste of time. My client is on disability, he has no resources and $100,000 cash is a no-bond. He’s not going anywhere.”

After hearing arguments from both parties, Hollis agreed with Reeb.

“Within the body of the complaint, the court finds the alleged remarks disturbing,” Hollis said. “The court will cite the nature of this crime, honor the motion on behalf of the state and set bail at $500,000 cash only.”

Blair said the defense also took issue with the tampering with evidence charge on the knife, citing Martinez’ cooperation with police.

“I understand they’re saying he moved the knife,” Blair said, “but he told them where the knife was. Tampering with evidence requires an intent to prevent the apprehension, prosecution or conviction. Just because you move something, it does not mean it’s tampering.”

Reeb offered a dissenting opinion.

“In the complaint it references he (Martinez) washed the knife,” she said. “It is our position he was washing the knife in order to take evidence off the knife. Washing the knife and admitting you washed it is enough at this point. We can play that out at the preliminary hearing.”

New Mexico has no laws covering necrophilia. According to state statutes, criminal sexual penetration includes the “unlawful and intentional causing of a person to engage in sexual intercourse.” In the third degree, it “consists of all criminal sexual penetration perpetrated through the use of force or coercion.”

Hollis said a preliminary evaluation is slated for Feb. 23.