In the fall of 2014, a quiet evening in Newark's East Ward was shattered by gunfire that would end the life of 35-year-old Julio Martinez. On the night of October 9th, at approximately 8:45 p.m., Martinez was sitting in his car in the vicinity of 75-77 South Street when he was targeted in a fatal shooting. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after, at 9:06 p.m.
The investigation into the death of the Newark
resident was promptly initiated by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department. Within days, authorities identified a suspect in the shooting. Jonathan Balaguer, a 24-year-old from Newark, became the focus of the investigation. It was revealed that Balaguer and Martinez knew each other. The nature of their acquaintance was not immediately made public, but the investigation proceeded with murder and weapons charges being filed against Balaguer. A bail of $1,000,000 was set as law enforcement began their search for him, considering him to be armed and dangerous.
The search for Jonathan Balaguer concluded with his apprehension, and the legal process began to unfold. In a significant development on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, Balaguer, then 29, appeared before Superior Court Judge Verna Leath and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter. According to the state, Balaguer had approached the vehicle Martinez was sitting in and shot him. As part of the plea agreement, Balaguer was expected to be sentenced to 17 years in New Jersey state prison. The terms of his sentence required that he serve 85 percent of the term before becoming eligible for parole. This resolution brought a close to the criminal proceedings in the death of Julio Martinez.
