Columbia Man Died Of Brain Injury Caused By Screwdriver: Court

JESSUP, MD — An Annapolis man who assaulted a Columbia man with a screwdriver during a fight, causing fatal brain injuries, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Prosecutors on Thursday said Santos Abel Diaz-Lemus, 31, of Annapolis, pleaded guilty to charges in the death of Fredy Roberto Lopez-Martinez, 29, from the 5900 block of Stevens Forest Road in Columbia.

Anne Arundel County Police say the deadly assault happened during a fight in Jessup on June 17. Detectives said the victim was in the 2900 block of Jessup Road when he fought with Diaz-Lemus, who struck Lopez-Martinez with a screwdriver.

"Mr. Diaz-Lemus exerted an unreasonable amount of force when he used a screwdriver against an unarmed opponent," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams in a news release. "Had it not been for this escalation in violence, the victim would be alive today. I'm grateful to all agencies involved in holding Mr. Diaz-Lemus accountable for his actions and bringing him to justice."

Prosecutors say Lopez-Martinez was treated for an extensive intracranial bleed, skull fracture, and left orbital roof fracture. His condition continued to decline, and he was pronounced brain dead on June 27 at Maryland Shock Trauma. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death of Lopez-Martinez a homicide. Authorities initially charged Diaz-Lemus with first- and second-degree murder, along with first- and second-degree assault.

Investigators say the deadly confrontation came when the two men drank alcohol together at the victim's home in Columbia. When Diaz-Lemus said he needed to leave to go buy milk for his children, Lopez-Martinez became upset and asked him to stay and continue to drink. The defendant refused and left, authorities say.

Later that evening, the victim and his companion decided to continue drinking at their coworker's home in Jessup. When they arrived, they saw Diaz-Lemus's car in the driveway. Lopez-Martinez reportedly became enraged and parked his car behind the defendant's so he couldn't leave. He then continued to drink while waiting for Diaz-Lemus to leave the residence.

Once he got into his car, the victim walked over to the car, opened the door, and began punching Diaz-Lemuswith his fists. The defendant got out of the car with a screwdriver in his hand, and struck the victim three times, puncturing him once above the left eye. The defendant then fled the scene.

An arrest warrant was issued for Diaz-Lemus; he was apprehended in Kingwood, Texas, on July 13, and extradited back to Maryland.

Sentencing for Diaz-Lemus is scheduled for Dec. 14.

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