Prosecutor says two attackers stabbed NMSU student to death | Lubbock Online

ALBUQUERQUE {AP} Crime scene evidence suggests New Mexico State University student Carly Martinez struggled with two men before she was murdered, prosecutors told jurors at the trial of Jason Desnoyers.

The 18-year-old student was driven to a remote Las Cruces mesa, was stabbed more than a dozen times in the head, chest, abdomen, back, thighs and buttocks, and her body was "left to rot" in the desert, District Attorney Susana Martinez said Tuesday.

Two weapons were used, a single-edged knife and another instrument, said prosecutor Martinez, no relation to the victim.

"Two weapons, two men," she said.

Desnoyers, 24, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, tampering with evidence and criminal solicitation. Co-defendant Jesse Avalos, 26, is to be tried separately in September on similar charges.

Defense attorney Gary Mitchell contends there was only one weapon.

He said Avalos wore a belt with a knife, screwdriver and other tools the night Carly Martinez died.

"It is not in dispute that Carly Martinez was a beautiful young woman ... and that she died a horrible death," Mitchell said. "But Jason Desnoyers did not do that."

Mitchell told jurors Desnoyers was asleep in the pickup truck Jan. 14, 1998, when Carly Martinez was killed. He contends his client was forced to participate in the destruction of evidence because Avalos threatened to have the "Mexican Mafia" kill Desnoyers and his family.

Prosecutor Martinez told jurors, however, that the evidence suggests more than one attacker. She said investigators found "evidence of her struggle" two pools of blood at one spot, more blood at another spot, an earring here, a bracelet there, a deep defensive wound in the victim's hand, sliced fingers.

After the defendants returned to Avalos' Las Cruces apartment, Desnoyers showered and Avalos gave him clean clothing, prosecutors said.

They said blood found on the shower curtain and bath rug was a mixture of Carly Martinez's and Desnoyers'.

Mitchell said Desnoyers' blood came from a days-old razor cut that reopened in the shower.

Jurors also heard testimony Tuesday from several witnesses, including Martinez's father.

Two of the witnesses said they saw Carly Martinez with the defendants the night of Jan. 14 one at a roller rink, the other at a bowling alley bar.

Witness Robert Hofeldt said he saw the trio and that Desnoyers was "aggressive" toward Miss Martinez.

Hofeldt claimed Desnoyers threatened him with a shiny object, possibly a knife, when Hofeldt looked at Martinez.