Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the sentencing of Antonio Martinez for stabbing to death a fellow guest at a 2019 celebration of a baby’s christening in Corona. Martinez argued with the victim before repeatedly stabbing him in the chest.

District Attorney Katz said: “A celebration of life resulted in a violent death because of the defendant’s decision to fatally stab a party guest over an argument. He will now spend a lengthy term in prison as punishment for his actions.”

Martinez, 50, of 98th Street in Corona, Queens, was sentenced yesterday to 23 years to life in prison. On November 16, he was convicted of murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree following a jury trial.

According to the charges, shortly before 12:30 a.m. on September 29, 2019, Martinez approached 22-year-old Roque Alvarez-Montes outside of a baby christening party held in the vicinity of 98th Street and 37th Avenue in Corona, Queens. Martinez argued with the victim just before plunging a knife into the man’s chest.

The investigation was conducted by detectives assigned to the New York City Police Department’s 115th Precinct Detective Squad and Queens North Homicide.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Zawistowski of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau prosecuted the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Peter J. McCormack III and John W. Kosinski, Senior Deputy Bureau Chiefs, Assistant District Attorney Karen Ross, Deputy Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Daniel A. Saunders.