GUILTY CA - Two women, three kids found slain in Modesto home, 18 July 2015

Monday, October 1st:
*Pretrial Hearing & Set Trial Date (for Chris) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Amanda Crews (38) (GF), her daughters Rachael (6 mos) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5 yrs) his niece murdered (in Modesto July 18, 2015) - *Martin Martinez (32) accused & indicted (2/8/16) of 5 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bail. DA seeks DP. Also for the murder of Christopher Ripley (2 yrs) GF son on Sept. 30, 2014 indicted (7/23/15) on 1 count of 1st degree murder; plead not guilty; 2 cases have been combined.
8/29/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 10/1 & Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19 @ for both cases.
 
Case# 1498584 (5 people):
11/05/2018 Pretrial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM

01/02/2019 Preliminary Examination
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM


Case# 1490008 (Chris):
11/05/2018 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM

01/02/2019 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM
 
Monday, Nov. 5th:
*Pretrial Hearing & Set Trial Date (for Chris) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Amanda Crews (38) (GF), her daughters Rachael (6 mos) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5 yrs) his niece murdered (in Modesto July 18, 2015) - *Martin Martinez (32) accused & indicted (2/8/16) of 5 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bail. DA seeks DP. Also for the murder of Christopher Ripley (2 yrs) GF son on Sept. 30, 2014 indicted (7/23/15) on 1 count of 1st degree murder; plead not guilty; 2 cases have been combined.
8/29/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 10/1 & Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19 @ for both cases.
10/1/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 11/5 & Pretrial Exam/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19.
 
11/26/2018 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM

01/02/2019 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM
Cancel Reason: Vacated


link: Stanislaus Superior Court Public Portal

For both cases.
 
Last edited:
Monday, Nov. 26th:
*Pretrial Hearing (for both cases) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Amanda Crews (38) (GF), her daughters Rachael (6 mos) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5 yrs) his niece murdered (in Modesto July 18, 2015) - *Martin Martinez (32) accused & indicted (2/8/16) of 5 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bail. DA seeks DP. Also for the murder of Christopher Ripley (2 yrs) GF son on Sept. 30, 2014 indicted (7/23/15) on 1 count of 1st degree murder; plead not guilty; 2 cases have been combined.
** Stanislaus County/5ppl #1498584 & Chris #1490008
8/29/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 10/1 & Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19 @ for both cases.
10/1/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 11/5 & Pretrial Exam/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19.
11/5/18 Update: Next Jury trial set date hearing on 11/26 for both cases and Set Jury trial hearing on 1/2/19 is vacated.
 
11/26/2018 Pretrial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM

01/02/2019 Preliminary Examination
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM
Cancel Reason: Vacated

02/25/2019 Pretrial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM

05/20/2019 Preliminary Examination
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM


link: Stanislaus Superior Court Public Portal
 
Monday, February 25th:
*Pretrial Hearing (for both cases) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Amanda Crews (38) (GF), her daughters Rachael (6 mos) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5 yrs) his niece murdered (in Modesto July 18, 2015) - *Martin Martinez (32) accused & indicted (2/8/16) of 5 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bail. DA seeks DP.
Also for the murder of Christopher Ripley (2 yrs) GF son on Sept. 30, 2014 indicted (7/23/15) on 1 count of 1st degree murder; plead not guilty; 2 cases have been combined.
8/29/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 10/1 & Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19 @ for both cases.
10/1/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 11/5 & Pretrial Exam/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19.
11/5/18 Update: Next Jury trial set date hearing on 11/26 for both cases and Set Jury trial hearing on 1/2/19 is vacated.
11/26/18 Update: Next Pretrial hearing on 2/25 & Preliminary Exam hearing on 5/20.


 
Monday, April 15th:
*Pretrial Hearing (for both cases) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Amanda Crews (38) (GF), her daughters Rachael (6 mos) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5 yrs) his niece murdered (in Modesto July 18, 2015) - *Martin Martinez (32) accused & indicted (2/8/16) of 5 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bail. DA seeks DP. Also for the murder of Christopher Ripley (2 yrs) GF son on Sept. 30, 2014 indicted (7/23/15) on 1 count of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. 2 cases have been combined.
8/29/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 10/1 & Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19 @ for both cases.
10/1/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 11/5 & Pretrial Exam/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19.
11/5/18 Update: Next Jury trial set date hearing on 11/26 for both cases and Set Jury trial hearing on 1/2/19 is vacated.
11/26/18 Update: Next Pretrial hearing on 2/25 to set jury trial date & Preliminary Exam hearing on 5/20.
2/25/19 Update: Next Set Jury Trial on 4/15.
 
for 5 murder charges:

04/15/2019 Pretrial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM
Result: Completed Hearing

05/20/2019 Preliminary Examination
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM



for Christopher's case:

04/15/2019 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM
Result: Heard

05/20/2019 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM
Cancel Reason: Vacated

06/03/2019 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM


link: Stanislaus Superior Court Public Portal
 
Monday, May 20th:
*Preliminary Exam Hearing (for both cases) (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Amanda Crews (38) (GF), her daughters Rachael (6 mos) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5 yrs) his niece murdered (in Modesto July 18, 2015) - *Martin Martinez (32) accused & indicted (2/8/16) of 5 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bail. DA seeks DP. Also for the murder of Christopher Ripley (2 yrs) GF son on Sept. 30, 2014 indicted & arraigned (7/23/15) on 1 count of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty; 2 cases have been combined.
8/29/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 10/1 & Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19 @ for both cases.
10/1/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 11/5 & Pretrial Exam/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19.
11/5/18 Update: Next Jury trial set date hearing on 11/26 for both cases and Set Jury trial hearing on 1/2/19 is vacated.
11/26/18 Update: Next prelim exam hearing on 1/12/19. 1/12/19: Next hearing on 2/25/19 was moved to 4/15. Preliminary Exam hearing on 5/20. For Christopher’s case hearing on 5/20 vacated, with a setting of jury trial on 6/3.
 
Thank you Niner for all your updates on this Forum, they help so much to keep track! You are the very best.
 
Oops - looks like he's had hearings today 5/22 & tomorrow 5/23

05/20/2019 Preliminary Examination
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM

05/21/2019 Preliminary Examination
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM

05/21/2019 Preliminary Examination
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM
Cancel Reason: Vacated

05/22/2019 Preliminary Examination
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM

05/23/2019 Preliminary Examination
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM

link: Stanislaus Superior Court Public Portal
 
Forensic pathologist details grisly manner of death in killing of 5 in Modesto home


When investigators entered a two-story house on Nob Hill Court in east Modesto nearly four years ago, they discovered five bodies and a grisly crime scene.
[.....]
Stanislaus County forensic pathologist Sung-Ook Baik testified Tuesday that Crews and Romero died from blood loss as a result of multiple stab wounds to their heads, faces, necks and extremities. They also suffered superficial cuts on their hands, consistent with defensive wounds.
Baik also said during a preliminary hearing for Martin Martinez that the children died from asphyxia.
[.....]
.....
Testimony resumed this week in a preliminary hearing to determine whether there’s enough evidence for Martinez to stand trial.
[.....]
In a separate case, Martinez has been ordered to stand trial on charges of murder and child abuse in the Oct. 2, 2014, death of Crews’ 2-year-old son, Christopher Ripley. The trial in Christopher’s death has not been scheduled. That case has been set aside, for now, as the case in the 2015 killings moves forward.
[.....]
Testimony in the hearing was expected to continue Wednesday and could end Thursday afternoon, before Stanislaus Superior Court Judge Ricardo Córdova issues his ruling.




And here I thought both cases were being tried together, but I see I'll have to change my notes....
 
This is what the court site has for Christopher's case:

For Chris' murder:

05/20/2019 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 9:30 AM
Cancel Reason: Vacated

06/03/2019 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM

link: Stanislaus Superior Court Public Portal

Don't really think the trial is 6/3, but I'll put it there & keep an eye out on this site.
 
Thursday, May 23rd:
*Preliminary Exam Hearing (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Amanda Crews (38) (GF), her daughters Rachael (6 mos) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5 yrs) his niece murdered (in Modesto July 18, 2015) - *Martin Martinez (32) accused & indicted (2/8/16) of 5 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bail. DA seeks DP. Also for the murder of Christopher Ripley (2 yrs) GF son on Sept. 30, 2014 indicted & arraigned (7/23/15) on 1 count of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty.
8/29/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 10/1 & Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19 @ for both cases.
10/1/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 11/5 & Pretrial Exam/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19.
11/5/18 Update: Next Jury trial set date hearing on 11/26 for both cases and Set Jury trial hearing on 1/2/19 is vacated.
11/26/18 Update: Next prelim exam hearing on 1/12/19. 1/12/19: Next hearing on 2/25/19 was moved to 4/15. Preliminary Exam hearing on 5/20. For Christopher’s case hearing on 5/20 vacated.
5/20/19 Update: Hearings re set for 5/22 & 5/23. Christopher’s case will be tried separately. Court site says jury trial on 6/3.
 
Monday, June 3rd:
*Set Jury Trial Hearing (for Christopher’s case) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Amanda Crews (38) (GF), her daughters Rachael (6 mos) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5 yrs) his niece murdered (in Modesto July 18, 2015) - *Martin Martinez (32) accused & indicted (2/8/16) of 5 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bail. DA seeks DP. Also for the murder of Christopher Ripley (2 yrs) GF son on Sept. 30, 2014 indicted (7/23/15) on 1 count of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
1/2/19: Prelim hearing held. 8/29/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 10/1 & Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19 @ for both cases.
10/1/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 11/5 & Pretrial Exam/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19.
11/5/18 Update: Next Jury trial set date hearing on 11/26 for both cases and Set Jury trial hearing on 1/2/19 is vacated.
11/26/18 Update: Next hearing on 2/25/19 was moved to 4/15. Preliminary Exam hearing on 5/20. For Christopher’s case hearing on 5/20 vacated, with a setting of jury trial on 6/3.
5/20/19 Update: Set jury trial for Chris’ case on 6/3; 5 murders: Arraignment for Information hearing on 6/6.
 
Christopher's case:

06/03/2019 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM
Result: Heard

06/06/2019 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM


link: Stanislaus Superior Court Public Portal


Same date as the 5 other murders.
 
Thursday, June 6th:
*Arraignment for Information Hearing & Setting Jury Trial Hearing. (both cases) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Amanda Crews (38) (GF), her daughters Rachael (6 mos) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5 yrs) his niece murdered (in Modesto July 18, 2015) - *Martin Martinez (32) accused & indicted (2/8/16) of 5 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bail. DA seeks DP. Also for the murder of Christopher Ripley (2 yrs) GF son on Sept. 30, 2014 indicted & arraigned (7/23/15) on 1 count of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty; 2 cases have been combined.
8/29/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 10/1 & Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19 @ for both cases.
10/1/18 Update: Next Pretrial/Set Jury Trial hearing on 11/5 & Pretrial Exam/Set Jury Trial hearing on 1/2/19.
11/5/18 Update: Next Jury trial set date hearing on 11/26 for both cases and Set Jury trial hearing on 1/2/19 is vacated.
11/26/18 Update: Next prelim exam hearing on 1/12/19. 1/12/19: Next hearing on 2/25/19 was moved to 4/15. Preliminary Exam hearing on 5/20. For Christopher’s case hearing on 5/20 vacated.
5/20/19 Update: Hearings re set for 5/22 & 5/23. Christopher’s case will be tried separately.
5/23/19 Update: Chris’ case next Set jury trial on 6/3; 5 murders: Arraignment on Information hearing on 6/6. 6/3/19: Chris’ case for Setting jury trial on 6/6.
 
06/06/2019 Arraignment on Information Hearing
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM
Result: Completed Hearing

06/06/2019 Defendant Arraigned on Information/Indictment

06/06/2019 Information Filed

09/16/2019 Setting of Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cordova, Ricardo
Hearing Time: 8:30 AM


link: Stanislaus Superior Court Public Portal

edited to add - this is for both cases.
 

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