A Tulare County judge has reduced the sentence of a 16-year-old convicted in the 2023 murder of Orosi teacher Sergio Martin, citing the teen’s positive progress toward rehabilitation.

The decision was handed down by Judge Jason Taylor on July 16 in Department 21 of the South County Justice Center. Taylor trimmed the minor’s sentence by two months based on a provision in California’s Welfare and Institutions Code 875(b)(1).

A follow-up hearing to review the minor’s progress is scheduled for December, which could result in further sentence reductions.

Prosecutors objected to the ruling.

“Once again, the lack of truth in sentencing in California is on full display, even in cases concerning violent juvenile offenders,” Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward said in a statement. “They (the victim’s family) deserve better.”

The juvenile, who was 15 at the time of the crime, admitted in August 2024 to murdering Martin during a home burglary and using a firearm. He also admitted to receiving stolen property.

In December 2024, he was sentenced to juvenile custody for seven years or until age 25 — the maximum allowed under California law.

Details of the Murder

The shooting occurred just after midnight on Nov. 6, 2023, when the teen entered Martin’s Dinuba home during a burglary and shot him multiple times after being confronted.

The minor returned to the crime scene hours later with two other males with the intent to take the firearm and other property.

A neighbor saw them leaving and called police, who then discovered Martin dead.

The juvenile was later identified through video surveillance, and authorities found him at his residence.

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