The man accused of the murder of a homeless man has been charged
with first-degree murder by the San Benito County Court.
The man accused of the murder of a homeless man has been charged with first-degree murder by the San Benito County Court.
Jorge Martinez, who is listed as Jorge Dias in the court’s database, was arrested March 31, a day after he was listed as a “person of interest” in the homicide of 72-year-old homeless man Francisco J. Rojas.
Witnesses described seeing Martinez with Rojas moments before the murder, according to the sheriff’s office.
Martinez, who is also homeless, was found at another location in Hollister the day after the homicide, according to the sheriff’s office. The location is being kept confidential.
Around 3:15 p.m. March 30, deputies responded to the 600 block of Buena Vista after a report of a stabbing. Deputies found Rojas with a stab wounds in his heart and on his hands.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Martinez will return to court May 5 for a preliminary hearing. He is facing 25 years to life in prison if he is found guilty of the crime.
