JUST three months after Las Vegas, Nev., resident Arturo Martinez was nearly bludgeoned to death by a home invader who also killed his wife and daughter, the 39-year-old husband and father made a public proclamation to forgive his attacker.
“I forgive this murderer because of my faith in God and in Jesus Christ,” Martinez told reporters July 12, during a public appearance at his family-owned Real K.O. Boxing Gym.
Martinez’s public appearance came just 88 days after his struggle with the alleged killer, 22-year-old Brian Clay.
Police accuse Clay of raping and killing Arturo’s 38-year-old wife, Yadira Martinez, and daughter 10-year-old Karla Martinez with a claw hammer.
In a subsequent statement released that same day, Martinez recounted waking in his home the evening after the April 15 attack to find his wife and daughter dead in bedrooms compeletely covered in blood.
His two young sons witnessed the gory aftermath but were miraculously unharmed.
“They had already been exposed to the assaulted bodies of their mother and sister,” the statement said.
Martinez wrote that he tried to dial 9-1-1 but couldn’t make his fingers work. News of the attack came the following day, when 9-year-old Cristopher went to school and told administrators that his mom and sister were dead and his dad was injured at home.
After suffering 17 skull fractures and undergoing two brain surgeries, Martinez read his “Forgiveness Statement” to a stunned audience.
“Because I have to forgive him doesn’t take my pain away,” he told reporters. “Because I have to forgive him doesn’t mean that he will not be held accountable to God and the American judicial system.”
Martinez, a former law student in Mexico, left his home country along with his family to make a better life in America and open a boxing facility.
He decided to re-open the gym, which proudly displays the motto “We Grow Champions,” after the attack in order to honor his slain wife and daughter.
Their dream was for the facility to train great fighters.
The Catholic boxing coach ended the press conference by professing his unending love for Yadira and Karla. He then stressed a desire to move forward.
“I choose not to give into this evil,” he said. “I choose life and happiness for my son Cristopher and Alejandro.”
Clay was indicted by a grand jury and pleaded not guilty to the murders. He has been charged with several counts of attempted murder, sexual assult, and burglary.
He awaits trial next June and could face the the death penalty if convicted. (Source)
