Salinas man found guilty of first degree murder

A Monterey County jury has found Hector Luis Martinez guilty of first degree murder in the death of Bobby Dick.

On December 4, 2013, Bobby Dick, checked into a Salinas motel. A few hours later the Martinez checked into the same motel.

Police say the 33 year old Martinez may have been using meth and attacked the Dick in the doorway to his motel room. Reportedly, in an effort to rob Dick, Martinez stabbed the victim over 130 times with a screwdriver.

Martinez fled on foot and stole a car a few hours later in the north end of Salinas, and was arrested for the car theft but not initially connected to the murder.

Investigators despite not having eyewitnesses, linked the Martinez to the murder after discovering items in his possession which connected him to the motel where Dick was murdered.

Detectives discovered dried blood on some clothing items the Martinez was wearing when he stole the car. The California Department of Justice was able to match the blood to the victim’s DNA.

The verdict came after a four week trial. The case is set for sentencing on July 27, 2015. Martinez is facing a 25 year to life prison sentence.