Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty To 2nd Degree Saint James Murder

A Pennsylvania man has pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of 36-year-old Donald Wethy Junior of Saint James outside of a motel in Saint James in 2021. Josue Martinez was seen on surveillance video stabbing Wethy more than 12 times during the unprovoked attack.

Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney Brendon Fox says Martinez pleaded down during the jury selection process. Martinez pleaded guilty to all of the charges against him, although he pleaded down from first to second-degree murder. He’ll be sentenced on March 20.

Kimberly Riston of Banning, California, was earlier found guilty of being complicit in the crime and sentenced to 23 years in prison.

The couple were trying to steal Wethy’s vehicle after the murder but were unable to find the keys. They were later apprehended in Maries County.