A Corona man faces life in prison after he was found guilty of murder in a 2019 fatal stabbing at a baby’s christening party, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Antonio Martinez, 50, of 98th Street, was convicted of murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree on Nov. 15 before Queens Criminal Court Judge Casandra Mullen.
According to the charges, shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 29, 2019, Martinez approached 22-year-old Roque Alvarez-Montes, of Corona, outside of the christening party in the vicinity of 98th Street and 37th Avenue in Corona. The two men were engaged in an argument when Martinez pulled out a knife and plunged it into the chest of Alvarez-Montes.
Officers from the 115th Precinct responded to the crime scene and found Alvarez-Montes unconscious and unresponsive with multiple stab wounds to the chin, back and left arm, according to authorities.
EMS responded to the scene and rushed Alvarez-Montes to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Detectives took Martinez into custody on Oct. 9.
“From celebrating a life, to mourning a death, this violent attack was as senseless as it was brutal,” Katz said. “The defendant is being held to account and faces life in prison.”
Judge Mullen indicated that she would sentence the defendant on Dec. 6, at which time Martinez faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
