Teen faces 20-year term in plea agreement

Kim Smith

Thursday, May 25, 2000 | 10:37 a.m.

A Las Vegas teen accused of causing the death of a newborn baby in November has entered a plea agreement that could result in a 20-year prison sentence.

According to authorities, Juan Martinez, 17, went to his former girlfriend's house on Nov. 12 and knocked on a window. When the girl's brother denied him access into the house, Martinez pulled a gun and fired four shots through the window.

Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said the brother dove to the ground, escaping the bullets. However, Adriana Beltran, Martinez's former girlfriend, was hit by at least one bullet.

Beltran, who was six months pregnant, delivered a baby daughter, but the baby died several hours later.

Martinez, who is a sixth grade dropout, was charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of murder and one count of discharging a firearm into a structure.

Martinez entered a deal with the state on Wednesday. Although he did not admit culpability in the death of the baby, he conceded that the state had enough evidence to prove he shot Beltran, that she delivered her baby three months premature and that the baby died.

When sentenced on July 12, Martinez will face up to 20 years on one count each of attempted murder and voluntary manslaughter. The other charges will be dismissed.

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