25 Years To Life For Killing Ex-Girlfriend At Belmont: Prosecutors

MINEOLA, NY — An Elmont man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend at Belmont Park, prosecutors announced.

Jose Franco-Martinez, 58, was convicted on April 4 of second-degree murder.

"Enraged by the thought of his ex-girlfriend seeing another man, this defendant drove halfway across the country to murder her at Belmont Racetrack where she worked," Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly said. "Franco-Martinez brutally stabbed and slashed Maria Larin more than 20 times before he was restrained by staff at the racetrack."

On June 17, 2018, Larin was working as a hot walker inside the stall area of Barn 61 at Belmont, walking horses to help them cool down after racing. As she worked, Franco-Martinez approached and stabbed her multiple times across her body with a silver kitchen knife, Donnelly said.

Larin’s co-worker, who saw the incident happen, picked up a shovel and hit the defendant in the head with it, but Franco-Martinez managed to run away. During a chase, Franco-Martinez threw the knife into some bushes, Donnelly said.

"We continue to keep the Larin family in our thoughts as this defendant is brought to justice for his horrific crime," Donnelly said.