By: ABQRAW staff
Posted: 4/28/2022 3:00PM
Albuquerque – Judge Cindy Leos today sentenced Jessica Kelley to 50 years in prison, with six years suspended. The sentence was handed down for Kelley’s role in the brutal and unfathomable death of Victoria Martens in 2016. Kelley struck a plea deal in part to testify against Fabian Gonzales another suspect in the case.
On August 24, 2016, the body of 10-year-old Victoria Martens was found in an apartment building in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After responding to a 9-1-1 call regarding a domestic dispute, officers discovered Martens’ dismembered remains partially wrapped in a burning blanket in her mother’s apartment.
Kelley’s charges included child abuse resulting in death, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit evidence tampering and three counts of tampering with evidence.
The New Mexico Corrections department has various programs available for good behavior and Kelley’s time in prison could be significantly shorter than the recommended 50 years.