Joaquin Barragan, a 45-year-old man from Earlimart, California, was found dead on September 30, 2009. His body was discovered on the bank of Deer Creek canal, just east of Earlimart, by ranchers working in the area. The circumstances surrounding his death were quickly linked to a notorious contract killer, Jose Manuel Martinez, also known as "El Mano Negra". Martinez, a hitman with a long history of violent crimes, was later charged with multiple counts of murder, including Barragan's killing.
Martinez, who had operated as an enforcer for drug cartels, admitted to killing over 35 men across various states. His method of execution often involved setting up fake traffic stops or luring victims to isolated locations before shooting them. In Barragan's case, investigators learned from the victim’s friends that Martinez had been actively searching for him and had made threats against his life in the days leading up to the murder. This information helped authorities connect Barragan’s death to Martinez’s extensive criminal activities.
Martinez was eventually arrested and charged with multiple homicides, including Barragan’s murder. Prosecutors pursued charges against him for nine counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, spanning several counties in California. The charges included special circumstances such as multiple murders, lying in wait, kidnapping, and murder for financial gain, making him eligible for the death penalty. Martinez was extradited from Alabama, where he had been serving a sentence for another homicide, and brought back to California to face trial.
The case against Martinez was built on testimonies from witnesses, forensic evidence, and his own confessions. His history of violence and his role as a cartel enforcer painted a grim picture of a man who had spent decades carrying out executions for money. Barragan’s murder was one of many attributed to Martinez, whose actions left a trail of devastation across multiple states. The legal proceedings against Martinez were extensive, as authorities sought justice for his numerous victims, including Barragan.
