Sabas Martinez Pleads Not Guilty in Attempted Murder Case

Sabas Martinez entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment on a seven-count felony indictment related to the shooting and stabbing of his former girlfriend on Thursday.

Handcuffed and wearing jeans and a navy blue sweater before William J. Condon, Martinez said little as a translator explained the proceedings. A on Friday, adding attempted murder to his arrest charges of first-degree assault, first-degree burglary, all felonies, and two counts each of child endangerment and weapons charges, which are misdemeanors.

He is being held without bail.

Assistant District Attorney Caren Manzello told the court that Martinez was "laying in wait" for Noemi Sanchez at her home on Squaw Road in Springs in the early morning hours of Feb. 13.

Martinez, 39, had been released from an immigration detention center on bond in October, awaiting immigration proceedings, Manzello said. He is not a US citizen, she added.

Homeless and living with various relatives, he had asked Sanchez, whom he had been in a relationship with for 22 years, for a second chance. "She refused to consider taking him back," Manzello said.

With their three children asleep in the house, in the back of the head with a high-powered air rifle, Manzello said. Sanchez ran into her daughters' bedroom, where she was "tackled and stabbed in the head," she continued. Their 16 year old daughter "disarmed her father of the rifle and the knife," she said. However, he did cut himself in front of his children before police arrived.

The ADA also told Justice Condon that Martinez's prior felony record consists of two felony driving while intoxicated charges and 10 total arrests. His probation was revoked twice and he has been issued three warrants for failure to appear on previous charges.

Suffolk County Jail records show he has been in and out of jail since 1993.

Requesting no bail, Manzello said he is "a severe flight risk," who faces 25 years behind bars because of his felony record.

Ed Vitale, Martinez's Legal Aid attorney, did not make a bail application. He said that Martinez is on suicide watch, and Condon said that will continue.

Justice Condon remanded Martinez to the Suffolk County jail without bail. He also issued temporary orders of protection for Sanchez and her children. They will expire on Feb. 24, 2012.

Just days before the incident, Sanchez had sought an order of protection from her estranged ex-boyfriend in and help from The Retreat, according to her statement to police.

Martinez is due back in court late next month.