Passaic County officials reported an arrest in connection with a fatal stabbing that took place on October 9.
Authorities say that based upon an investigation John E. Martinez, a 19-year-old from Passaic, was arrested concerning a fatal stabbing that occurred on October 9.
The arrest took place in the area of Kreuger Place and Poplar Street in Passaic.
Martinez is charged with Murder, First Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Fourth Degree; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Third Degree.
October 9, at approximately 1:18 a.m., members of the Passaic Police Department responded to the area of Krueger Place and Poplar Street on a reported stabbing.
A 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old male from Passaic were stabbed during an altercation.
The 16-year-old male was pronounced deceased.
The 17-year-old male was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center for medical treatment.
Martinez was identified as the assailant during the subsequent investigation.
On October 10, members of the Passaic Police Department arrested him without incident in the area of Grove Street and Broadway in Passaic.
The crime of First-Degree Murder carries a sentencing range from a minimum of 30 years up to life imprisonment; Third Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose carries a prison term between 3 and 5 years, and Fourth Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon has a sentencing range of up to 18 months in state prison.
The State intends to file a motion for pretrial detention for John E. Martinez that will be heard before a Superior Court Judge.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.