NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A murder suspect at the center of a KRQE investigation has pleaded guilty to raping a 14-year-old. Kevin Martinez was on house arrest awaiting trial in the rape case when authorities say he killed Elmer Sanchez Jr. nearly three years ago. Prosecutors had fought to keep Martinez in custody for the rape case. But the judge ruled they did not prove he was a danger to the community.

Earlier this year, KRQE investigator Ann Pierret spoke with First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altiwies and Sanchez's family. They said Martinez should have never been out in the first place. "These are the worst kinds of charges. If we're not holding this guy in custody, then who actually gets held in custody? said DA Carmack-Altwies.

"The legal system is supposed to protect us. It

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