AURORA | A man who police say gunned down an Aurora man last year has pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
Christopher Michael Martinez, 35, was charged with first-degree murder and possession of cocaine with intent to sell in connection with the April 1, 2015, slaying of 33-year-old Clifford Eugene Wilson, Jr.
But under an agreement with prosecutors, Martinez pleaded guilty to manslaughter in January. Michelle Yi, a spokeswoman for the Arapahoe County district attorney’s office, said Martinez’s guilty plea typically carries a sentence between two and six years in prison.
Had Martinez been convicted of first-degree murder, he would have faced a mandatory life sentence.
He was scheduled for sentencing last week but the hearing was delayed, according to court records. His next appearance is a status conference May 6.
Details about what led up to the shooting have not been released. Court documents detailing the evidence against Martinez remain sealed even after his guilty plea.
After the shooting, Aurora police said Wilson, Jr. was shot at a home at 18967 E. Mercer Dr. Police said later he was shot after an altercation at the home with a suspect who he knew but didn’t release further details at the time.
Martinez was arrested five days later in rural Wattenberg in Weld County and has been held in the Arapahoe County Jail since a few days after his arrest.
Jail records say Martinez is also facing a parole violation charge.
According to Colorado Bureau of Investigation records, Martinez — who goes by the nickname “Little C” and also uses the first name Ronald — has an arrest record dating back to 1998. He has been arrested around the state on charges including motor vehicle theft and making a false report. The homicide charges from April 2015 appear to be his first arrest for a violent crime.