SANTA ROSA — A Santa Rosa man was sentenced to 15 years to life for the stabbing murder of a cannabis grower, the Sonoma County District Attorney said on Friday.
Carlos Martinez-Carceres, 23, originally from El Salvador, got into an argument with the victim in November of 2019 after he arrived at his home to purchase marijuana, prosecutors said. The victim Howard Quick, 55, was subsequently stabbed more than 30 times. His life partner found him dead on the kitchen floor.
Martinez-Carceres stole money and narcotics before fleeing Quick’s home, but a neighbor’s surveillance camera captured him walking away from the murder, the DA said. He was located at a relative’s home.
District Attorney Jill Ravitch said that Martinez-Carceres confessed to killing Quick, but said it was in self-defense. He ultimately pleaded no contest to second-degree murder.
Source: www.mercurynews.com