Anchorage, AL: Man Charged with First- and Second-Degree Murder in the Death of Girlfriend

“Raise your right hand,” said Judge Leonard Linton. “Your other right hand, sir.” Dressed in a yellow jump suit James Martin Marquez stepped up a microphone to face a judge after what court documents call, intentional murder.

The 34-year-old man is being charged with first- and second-degree murder.

Marquez shot his girlfriend in the head shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Monday. He then proceeded call the Anchorage Police Department and turn himself in. According to records, Marquez said it was an accident and “I’m guilty.”

The dispatcher then asked about the events leading up to the event, at which point he told APD it was domestic violence. “It is what it is, just punish me.”

His girlfriend, who he was living with, was rushed to the hospital shortly after arriving and was later pronounced dead. Court records have identified the woman, but KTVA is not releasing her name until the next of kin have been notified.

Police found a semi-automatic gun on the counter, and just inches away APD found what appeared to be a blood smear.

Marquez, who is currently unemployed, told police that he had been drinking that day and taking the drug lorazepam. Lorazepam is used to treat anxiety and should not be mixed with liquor.

City prosecuter Aaron Peterson told Judge Linton that Marquez had been charged with domestic violence “several times” in Colorado.

Bail has been set at $500,000 cash or corporate bond and an additional $50,000 cash.

The pre-indictment hearing is set for Thursday at 2:30 p.m.