Martinez Renews Bid to Overturn Conviction, Arguing Bribery Count Would Collapse Entire Case

Former Police Commissioner Ray Martinez is once again asking the District Court of the Virgin Islands to overturn the December, 2025 decision of a jury convicting him of five counts of honest services wire fraud, federal program bribery, money laundering conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.  Attorneys for Mr. Martinez filed a renewed motion for acquittal and a new trial after presiding judge Mark Kearney ordered the former police commissioner to await his June 9 sentencing date in federal custody. The new motion expands on the initial request for acquittal filed in January of this year, but presents the same core argument: that “the prosecution’s case, theory and evidence does not cut the mustard.”  Mr. Martinez’s attorneys argue that several elements of the case do not prove the crimes government prosecutors say they do. Payments from government witness David Whitaker to Mr. Martinez were legitimate pursuant to the signing of the “Steak Out” agreement between the two, his defense...