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Everal Martinez Arraigned For Beastly Crime
posted (March 5, 2018)
And while the family's almost incomprehensible grief and loss is one part of the story - today, crowds thronged to the courthouse to see Everal Martinez.

But to make sure no one tried to turn public rage into street justice right there on the court stairs, multiple police units like the MIT, the GSU and The SAT, along with very senior officers had the building on lockdown. Here's what we saw:..

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
A phalanx of police officers vigilantly guarded the Magistrate's court this morning.

And for good measure, they brought out metal barriers and barricade tape. It is quite an unusual scene but it was necessary to maintain law and order in one of the most high profile cases in years.

It seemed the angry mob was out for blood as it waited for the accused Everald Martinez to be taken to court.

Martinez was charged with 2 counts of attempted rape of a child and 2 counts of attempted assault of a child. Based on baby Alyssa's post mortem, more charges will be brought against him.

After the arraignment, Martinez was escorted to the holding cell - the clatter of his chains lost amid the clamor of the crowd. But this case is far from over, Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn Vidal warns that it isn't as straightforward as it may seem. She spoke on the sensitivity of this case.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
"He was arraigned on 4 charges this morning in relation to sexual conduct with the now deceased. The Director of Public Prosecution actually has an obligation to ensure that there is no adverse publicity in relation to a matter that could prejudice the trial at a later stage. So that I know that this is a matter of great public interest, but I want to ask that we please ensure that we are not saying or doing anything that later on is going to affect the trial process. So, if in particular discussion in relation to the facts of the case could be avoided and we could restrict our comments to what we think this means for us as a society, what we think we should do to address this kind of conduct - that that would be more appropriate."

Now the average citizen certainly doesn't care about all the legalities - they want justice to be served swiftly. Well, Martinez's attorney Oscar Selgado says not so fast, his client deserves a fair trial.

Oscar Selgado, Martinez's Attorney
"Two counts of attempt rape of a child - two counts of 'attempt.' I'm saying it, I'm repeating it 'attempt rape of a child.' There was no rape of any child. It was an attempt. The presumption of innocence is a guarantee in our constitution. Mt client is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty and contrary to what social media has been saying "a child has been raped. A child has been carnally known front way, back way," and all this foolishness. None of that has happened. There is an attempt on these things and it is an allegation made by the crown. Until that allegation is proven, my client is innocent and he must be given that opportunity to be innocent and to remain innocent until he is found guilty or otherwise."

"So it is no good right now the public heralding death to Everald Martinez, when in fact he is an innocent person and the wrong person could be in jail while the guilty person walk the streets. So I am saying until the man is given a fair trial by an independent and impartial court - let us treat him as an accused person. Merely as a suspect person, because that is what he is."

But baby Alyssa's family simply can't see it that way because in the end, their little angel is gone forever.

Darina Nunez, Aunt
"Well if it was an attempted rape, the doctor was going to say it. But the doctor tell my brother, I want you to man-up, because I will tell you something right now what will hurt you. Your daughter was raped. Straight up."

Martinez was charged with 2 counts of attempted rape of a child, and two counts of attempted assault on a child. Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford denied him bail and remanded him to prison. As you saw, he was represented by Oscar Selgado, while, in an unusual low court appearance, DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal appeared for the crown.

His next court date is May 18 - but he could re-appear before then if his charges are upgraded depending on the findings of the post mortem.

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