SAN ANTONIO – The trial of Richard Martinez, 25, came to an abrupt halt Tuesday morning when he opted to accept a plea deal.
Martinez was facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on charges of aggravated assault. He allegedly fired several shots at an undercover police officer’s vehicle on the night of Feb. 16, 2015.
The officer was investigating a homicide that occurred on Feb. 12, 2015, in the 200 block of Rainbow Drive.
Matthew Winkelman, 30, was shot and killed during a domestic dispute. Martinez was not involved in that case, according to prosecutors.
He accepted a plea deal on the assault charges.
“In exchange for your plea, Mr. Martinez, the state recommends a cap of 15 years and a fine of $2,000 and that there’ll be a finding of a deadly weapon,” Judge Dick Alcala said as he explained the plea bargain to Martinez.
The deadly weapon finding means that Martinez must serve half of the 15-year sentence before he can be considered for probation.
He is scheduled to return to court on April 14 to be formally sentenced.
Rodney Walker, 30, is scheduled to go on trial in 175th District Court on April 4 for Winkelman’s slaying.