North Hollywood Man Convicted in Stabbing Murder of His Sister

A North Hollywood man is facing 26 years to life in state prison for fatally stabbing his 19-year-old sister, a prosecutor said today.

Mario Alejandro Martinez, 24, was found guilty late Wednesday of first- degree murder for the Sept. 2, 2013, killing of his sibling. Jurors also found true an allegation that he had personally used a knife in the commission of the crime.

Raquel Martinez went to her mother’s apartment -- where her brother also lived -- to bring some milk, according to Deputy District Attorney Matthew Vodnoy.

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Martinez, who was angry at his sister over a fight earlier that year, grabbed a knife from the kitchen and chased her into the street, according to court testimony.

Their mother unsuccessfully tried to intervene, but could not stop Martinez from stabbing his sister to death. Two good Samaritans who witnessed the attack followed Martinez and directed police where to find him, the prosecutor said.

Martinez, who has remained jailed since that day, is due back in a Van Nuys courtroom on March 27 for sentencing.

• City News Service