By A northern Arizona man was convicted on Thursday of first-degree murder and multiple other crimes in connection with the 2020 starvation death of his 6-year-old son. The verdict, delivered by a Coconino County Superior Court jury, marks a significant moment in a case that has horrified the local community.
Anthony Martinez, 28, was found guilty of the murder of his son, Deshaun Martinez, as well as two counts each of child abuse, kidnapping, and aggravated assault on law enforcement officers. The charges stem from the horrific conditions in which Deshaun and his older brother were kept as punishment for stealing food at night while their parents slept.
Authorities revealed that the boys were confined to a tiny bedroom closet for up to 16 hours a day over a month. An autopsy showed Deshaun weighed only 18 pounds (8.1 kilograms) at the time of his death, a stark indication of severe starvation.
The boys’ mother, Elizabeth Archibeque, had already been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in July 2023 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and child abuse. The sentencing of Archibeque underscored the gravity of the abuse the children endured.
Prosecutors presented a compelling case, detailing the extreme neglect and abuse that led to Deshaun’s tragic death. The jury’s decision reflects the overwhelming evidence of Martinez’s culpability for the deliberate and systematic starvation of his son.
The case has drawn widespread attention and serves as a grim reminder of the responsibilities parents hold towards their children’s welfare. The convictions of both parents aim to bring some measure of justice for Deshaun and highlight the severe consequences of child abuse and neglect.
