Pueblo murder suspect who had victim's hand in his pocket found guilty

A jury in Pueblo has convicted Solomon Martinez, a murder suspect who was found with the victim's hand in his pocket at the time of his arrest, on all charges related to the case. The incident occurred in January 2024 when Pueblo Police discovered a deceased woman in Fountain Creek, later identified by the Pueblo County Coroner as 47-year-old Renee Marie Portillos.

Throughout the 14-day trial, the prosecution presented crucial evidence, including testimonies, phone records, location data, and autopsy results. After four hours of deliberation, the jury found Martinez guilty of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, and abuse of a corpse. He is now facing a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

According to arrest documents, witnesses reported that Martinez had asked one of them to dispose of a body, while another saw him washing blood off his hands at a car wash. Additionally, police discovered dried blood inside Martinez's vehicle, raising further suspicion against him.

Martinez admitted to picking up Portillos but denied any involvement in her death, claiming he dropped her off afterward and suggested that a friend who borrowed his car might have been responsible. The evidence, however, pointed strongly in the opposite direction, leading to his conviction.

As the Pueblo community reacts to the case, local authorities continue to warn residents about other criminal activities, such as card skimming, which has been reported increasingly across the city. For updates on local news and crime prevention tips, community members can access various media platforms.