A man from British Columbia has been found guilty of second-degree murder for a fatal stabbing in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that took place three years ago. Ricky Martinez lost his life after being stabbed in the neck on the early morning of September 28, 2023, near Carrall and Hastings streets. The autopsy revealed that the attack had severed his carotid artery and jugular vein.
Hevert Solis Moreno was apprehended on October 23, 2023, in the same vicinity where the crime occurred. He was wearing attire that greatly resembled what the killer had on, as captured by CCTV footage. The trial hinged on establishing the killer’s identity using 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 murder were sufficient to confirm his identity as the perpetrator. Although the stabbing footage was of low quality, subsequent footage traced the killer’s movements to a location where high-quality footage clearly depicted Solis Moreno. Majawa also highlighted the match between the killer’s distinct attire and a repetitive head movement he exhibited.
Majawa concluded that the attack met the criteria for murder, indicating that the assailant intended to cause harm that was likely to result in death. He dismissed a partial provocation defense. In Canada, second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence, with parole eligibility ranging from 10 to 25 years. Solis Moreno is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing at a later date.
