Defendant Convicted of Multiple Charges Stemming from Carjacking
DATE: February 28, 2024
CASE: James Martin (Case #22FE003163)
PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Adriana Garcia, Major Crimes Unit
James Martin was convicted by a jury of carjacking, five counts of attempted carjacking, hit and run and reckless driving. Martin also admitted to aggravating factors. The Court also found true that Martin has a prior 2001 strike conviction for robbery with a firearm enhancement.
On February 18, 2022, the victim was parking her car at her apartment complex when James Martin approached her driver’s side door and told her to get out of the car. Martin then opened her car door and unbuckled her seatbelt. The victim got out of the car and ran for help. Martin drove the victim’s car onto Interstate-80 going over 100 mph. He drove on the shoulder of the freeway until he caused a multiple car collision on the Yolo Causeway. Martin then attempted to carjack five other drivers who were stopped on the freeway, including getting into the driver’s seat of two cars and breaking another driver’s rear window to get inside. He was apprehended on the freeway and police located 18 hydrocodone pills, .63 grams of cocaine and $3,555 in cash in his pockets.
Martin faces a maximum sentence of 31 years and 4 months in prison. Sentencing is set for April 12, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 24 before the Honorable Kenneth Brody.
