Crime & Safety

Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Killing of Murrieta Man

The body of 47-year-old Sergio Corona of Murrieta was found June 20 in a planter behind a Perris business.

The suspect in the fatal beating of a Murrieta man whose body was found June 20 in a planter behind a Perris business pleaded not guilty today.

Jorge Alejandro Martinez, 42, of Homeland, is charged with murder and weapons use allegations in the death of 47-year-old Sergio Corona of Murrieta. 

Martinez appeared today before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Becky Dugan, who set a felony settlement conference in the case for Aug. 1.

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The defendant remains held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

According to prosecutors, Martinez allegedly attacked Corona with a rock and a tree branch, pummeling the victim with both objects. The defendant then dumped Corona's remains in a planter behind a shop in the 200 block of North D Street.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Martinez was arrested July 2 by investigators with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Central Homicide Unit.

"Information obtained through interviews and physical evidence linked Martinez to the murder," said Sgt. Michael Lujan.

The two were acquaintances, according to investigators. The reasons for the attack were not disclosed.

City News Service contributed to this report.


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