By: Richard L. Smith
Bergen County officials reported that on April 28, The Honorable Margaret M. Foti, P.J.Cr., sentenced David Martinez of North Bergen to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison after being convicted of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, felony murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose in connection with the death of David Duque Soto in June 2019.
According to Prosecutor Mark Musella, on June 29, 2019, Martinez and four co-conspirators planned to commit an armed robbery against David Duque Soto.
At approximately 6:40 p.m. that evening, three of the co-conspirators entered Duque Soto’s apartment to commit the robbery while Martinez waited in the get-a-way vehicle.
Duque Soto was shot twice during the armed robbery and died of injuries.
Prosecutor Musella said on March 13, 2023, a jury convicted Martinez of felony murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, along with the associated weapons offenses.