A man from British Columbia has been found guilty of second-degree murder in connection to a fatal stabbing that occurred in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside three years ago. Ricky Martinez tragically lost his life after being stabbed in the neck on the early morning of September 28, 2023, near the intersection of Carrall and Hastings streets. An autopsy revealed that the attack had severed his carotid artery and jugular vein.
Hevert Solis Moreno was apprehended on October 23, 2023, in the vicinity where the crime took place. He was wearing attire that closely resembled what was captured by CCTV footage worn by the perpetrator. The trial heavily relied on circumstantial evidence since the murder weapon was never recovered, and Martinez’s DNA was not found on Solis Moreno’s clothing.
Despite these challenges, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Andrew Majawa determined that the CCTV footage and cellphone records placing Solis Moreno at the scene during the time of the incident were sufficient to establish his identity as the perpetrator. Although the footage of the actual stabbing was of poor quality, subsequent footage was able to track the assailant to a location where clearer footage positively identified Solis Moreno. Majawa also highlighted similarities in the clothing worn by the assailant and a distinctive recurring head movement.
The court ruled that the attack met the criteria for murder, indicating that the assailant intended to cause harm that he knew could lead to death, and dismissed a partial defense of provocation. In Canada, second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence, with parole eligibility ranging from 10 to 25 years. Solis Moreno will await sentencing at a later court date.