Colon-Martinez' defense was that Rivera-Cintron was killed in self-defense.
Eduardo Colon-MartinezSPRINGFIELD – A Hampden Superior Court jury on Monday acquitted Eduardo Colon-Martinez of murder.
Defense lawyer William J. O’Neil had argued it was a case of self-defense.
Colon-Martinez, 36, of Holyoke, had been charged with murder in the stabbing death of Abinadad Rivera-Cintron on May 26, 2010, inside an apartment at 188 Oak St. in Holyoke.
O’Neil said there is no argument Colon-Martinez stabbed Rivera-Cintron but it was self defense, not murder.
Assistant District Attorney James C. Orenstein said Colon-Martinez had “intent to kill” Rivera-Cintron, who was living in New Britain, Conn.
Isaura Diaz testified she was in bed with 18-year-old Rivera-Cintron when Colon-Martinez came into her bedroom and fatally stabbed Rivera-Cintron before he woke.
Diaz, a prosecution witness, said she broke up with Colon-Martinez, who she had married in late 2009, and seen him four or five times after that.
Under cross-examination from O’Neil, Diaz said she is still legally married to Colon-Martinez although they had split up. She said after they split up Colon-Martinez gave her money for her three children, even though he was not their father.
O’Neil said Colon-Martinez feels that the jury made the right decision in terms of what happened in the apartment and is grateful for the verdict.
Colon-Martinez testified during the trial that he did not want to hurt the victim and was defending himself.
His employer at the Holyoke restaurant where he worked testified Colon-Martinez used a knife in his job opening boxes and stocking goods there. Colon-Martinez had been to work that morning, testimony showed.
The jury had the choice on the verdict slip of first degree murder, second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, but acquitted Colon-Martinez.