My name is David Martinez.
It’s been 28 years since I became Inmate E66627. I’ve spent more years in prison than as a free man.
I became a faceless and dehumanized number who lost his birth name to the prison system.
I committed my 1st & only crime at the age of 21; I am now serving a sentence of Life Without the Possibility of Parole. I was living alone in an inoperable vehicle. In my desperation to survive homelessness, depression, and hunger, I made the decision to steal which inadvertently led to the death of Mrs. Nooren DeMartino, an innocent woman. I had no intention to steal a life but I did.
I am seeking a 2nd chance to reenter society. I would like to prove I am reformed and I am not the same 21-year-old who entered these prison walls 28 years ago.
I am a 49-year-old husband, brother, uncle, friend, roommate, and a survivor of severe child abuse. I reside in a community of prisoners; where I am sentenced to die without an opportunity to prove reformation, or remorse for my actions as a young adult. I am now a model and rehabilitated prisoner. Words cannot express my grief for all the pain I caused an entire community, including Mrs. DeMartino, her families and friends, and also my own family and friends.
Now as a matured man of God, with a positive self-image & self-respect, I am giving back by mentoring family members and prisoners to help them understand the importance of living righteously. I can never return the life I took, but I would like to honor the life of my victim thru mentorship & volunteering with youth & young adults, facing a life of crime on the street.
My wife, family & pastors, helped me learn to be a man of integrity. The rehabilitative programs that I completed helped me discover new ideals in dealing with life’s challenges. I am currently working on teaching ESL to the Spanish speakers in my community. I am a changed man; I am a man of honor & integrity. I am David Martinez.