Martin knows the truth

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: August 7, 2008

Luther Martin, who is 18, will face the death penalty in the killing of 11-month-old Antonio Bridges at an Eden motel room in June.
The killing of a defenseless baby is an indefensible crime, and several readers have expressed strong opinions about the death and the alleged killer. In their minds, some people have already bypassed the judicial process in defining an appropriate punishment for Martin.
That may be human nature, but it’s wrong nevertheless. Martin, barely an adult himself and, according to the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, he is entitled to a fair, public and speedy trial.
Realistically, however, the likelihood of this case going to trial is remote at best. Martin was arrested hours after the baby’s death, and, court records show, the mother left the room to smoke when the baby was, according to an autopsy report, beaten to death. When charged with first-degree murder, Martin was on pre-trial release after being charged with communicating threats earlier this year. It’s hard to imagine an argument for the defense but, as we’ve said, Martin has the right to state his case.
A trial, especially considering the evidence against Martin, could last several days and would be expensive should a lawyer outside the public defender’s office take the case and see it through. Testimony in the death of an infant would be difficult for the people of this county, not to mention the jurors.
A guilty verdict, then, could well bring the death penalty. Even so, the case could drag on for years through the appeals process. Murder cases in Rockingham County typically end in a plea, which -should a guilty plea be rendered in this case -would mean life in prison. And it could be years before the trial is even scheduled in Superior Court.
A quick resolution could accelerate the healing process, but only Martin knows the truth. And his decision should be based on that.