7 News Belize

Why Did Paul Martinez Stab And Kill Raheem Smith?
posted (July 20, 2012)
Last night, 7News told you about 18 year-old Raheem Smith, the young man who was fatally stabbed in an altercation on the far end of George Street yesterday evening.

Smith's family told us that their initial information from bystanders was that the altercation started over Smith's bike. We also told you that police had a young man in detention, and he was being investigated as the main suspect in the incident. We chose not to reveal his identity because police still haven't brought any formal charges against him as yet.

Tonight, however, the rules of identity bar us no longer because the family of 18 year-old Paul Martinez came to us today saying that he only attacked Smith in self-defense.

According to his mother, Martinez borrowed Smith's bicycle to go run errands, and when he returned with it, one of the tires had a flat.

According to Paul Martinez, the tire was flat before and Smith only pumped it before loaning it out. Well, this was the spark and the heightened tension of peer pressure led to the fight.

According to Martinez, Smith hit him over the back with a piece of board, and he responded with a stab in self-defence. Here's how his mother explained what he described it to her:

Diane Martinez, Mother
"I am here representing my son Paul Martinez "Obeah." The reason why I am here is because of this tragedy that took place between him and his friend. I feel very disturb about it and I feel very bad about it because no word nor money could not bring this kid back. My son is at the police station pending investigation about this murder. My son is bruise up because this kid (Raheem) lashes my baby with a 2x4 board, his back and hands are bruise up."

"I spoke to my son and he told me that when he (Raheem) the bike was already punctured but he only pump the tire. When he (Paul) came back with the bike it was flat. This kid (Raheem) start to show off himself by saying that he should fix my bike. I know my child and you all out there know "Obeah." You all know how he is; he is not a man who looks for trouble. Raheem, I believe got hasty with my son because my son is not somebody who is violent. My son asks to borrow a ride from him and he gave him the bike. When my son came back from doing his errands the bike was flat. So he (Raheem) approach my son saying when will he will fix the bike and apparently my son told him that his bike was already punctured."

"The young man (Raheem) say to my son 'come out ya meka a finish you' and he pick up a 2x4 board and start lashing my son with it. The 2x4 is still in the yard. All who was there knows what took place. My baby all he did was to defend himself."

Daniel Ortiz
"Where did that knife come from?"

Diane Martinez, Mother
"My baby told me that all he recall that he had something in his pocket and he recall that he stabs this person and he ran not realizing that he hurt this person to that extreme point, death."

"At this present moment he is under investigation. The police are trying to do their best to see whether it was self-defense or not. My baby is telling me that he defend himself because he (Raheem) attack me first."

Martinez is still detained by police at this time; they have still not brought any charges against him.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize