Facebook Twitter Email
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2002

A New Mexico man who pleaded guilty to beating a Navajo teenager to death wants to change his plea.

Shaun Murphy in February agreed to second-degree murder charges for the death of 16-year-old Fred Martinez, Jr. His public defender last week asked for the plea to be withdrawn.

If the request is approved, Murphy will face first-degree murder charges. He will also get a jury trial.

Martinez was found dead in Colorado. He had gone to a rodeo on the Southern Ute Reservation but never returned.

Martinez has been described by family and friends as gay and transgendered.

Get the Story:
Murphy wants change of plea, jury trial (The Farmington Daily-Times 5/16)

Related Stories:
Man pleads guilty for Navajo death (2/11)
Teen pleads innocent to Navajo death (10/23)
Jodi Rave: Ignorance no excuse for crime (10/15)
Man held without bond for Navajo death (9/10)
Question looms over Navajo death (9/4)
State to aid in Navajo death case (8/16)
Murder one for Murphy in Navajo death (8/14)
Suspect in Navajo death has hearing (8/13)
Vigil to be held for Navajo teen (8/8)
Little revealed on death of Navajo teen (7/27)
Police defend actions on Navajo teen case (7/24)
Death of Navajo teen highlights struggle (7/23)
Mother calls son's death a hate crime (7/19)
Suspect bragged about beating Navajo (7/12)
Teen-ager arrested in killing of Navajo (7/6)