NEW Face YORK.- It took 26 long years for Dominican actress Joselyn Martinez to come face to face Monday to get justice against her father’s alleged murderer, charged with the November 22, 1986 shooting death in Upper Manhattan.
Justo Santos pleaded not guilty at NY State Supreme Court in Manhattan to second degree murder and weapons charges, but Assistant DA Julie Nobel told the judge of “overwhelming evidence,” such as a 1987 recording where Santos speaks of the crime and investigators’ video after his arrest in Miami, admitting the felony.
More than 20 relatives and friends accompanied Martinez in the courtroom.
Santos didn’t flinch or look back; his hands cuffed behind him, as the faces of the victim’s relatives and friends conveyed hatred.
"This is something I’ve been waiting a long time. The whole family is here and finally, we will have the opportunity to see justice done," said the smiling actress, who was nine when her father died.
"Each anniversary of his death has always been difficult for me and especially Father’s Day," she said as she wept for her father.