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For more than 22 years, Liette “Lola” Martinez’s parents went about opening doors for their daughter – for her education, for her growth, for her future.
But on one horrific morning in April, 36-year-old Tina L. Morris slammed those doors shut for Martinez, an energetic graphic arts student from New Mexico.
In a flurry of rage, Morris attacked Martinez inside a university-owned apartment on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, stabbing her to death and hurling a pan of scalding water on Martinez’s face.
On Friday morning, Martinez’s family and friends, wearing pink ribbons adorned with butterfly pins in honor of Liette, gathered in an Allen Superior Courtroom to address Morris and seek a measure of justice for Martinez, meted out in a 60-year prison sentence by Allen Superior Court Judge Fran C. Gull.
“All we did, everything we did was to open doors for her to succeed in life,” said Gabriel Martinez, Liette Martinez’s father. “We were proud of her. We’re still proud of her.”
But Morris decided to close those doors for Liette Martinez, her father said.
No graduation. No marriage. No children. Her parents left without their only child.
After he spoke, he made his way back to his seat, covering his face with his hands.
On April 18, Martinez was found stabbed to death inside the student housing. Morris was arrested in Indianapolis less than 36 hours later, driving Martinez’s 2006 Mazda. According to court documents, Morris told police she was angry over something she thought Martinez said to her daughter.
The school had no knowledge Morris was staying in the apartment with her daughter and her daughter’s two roommates.
Before she spoke, Liette Martinez’s mother, Geraldine Martinez, played a DVD for the court, a video montage of photographs of Liette Martinez throughout her life, scrolling through as a version of “Over the Rainbow” played.
Inmates waiting in the courtroom for their hearings to begin were emotional as the video played. Morris wept throughout the hearing.
“We miss her voice, we miss her hugs,” Geraldine Martinez said, describing how her daughter would come into the room in the morning with a fake British accent to greet her parents.
The family was to have been on a plane to Las Vegas this weekend to celebrate their daughter’s 23rd birthday, but instead they were in a courtroom, trying to find words for their grief.
While Liette Martinez’s uncle extended forgiveness during the hearing, saying it was necessary to heal from a pain so deep and so unfair, other family members weren’t quite at that point yet.
“We do not hate you, but we want to know why,” Geraldine Martinez said to Morris. “I can’t forgive you yet for the pain you caused our family and your daughter.”
A broken Morris, speaking so softly through tears she could barely be heard, apologized to the Martinez family and to her own. Earlier in the hearing, Morris’ mother and cousin also offered grief-filled apologies to the Martinez family.
“Just keep us in your prayers as we keep you in our prayers,” said Morris’ cousin, Angela Gordon.
In sentencing Morris, Gull noted the defendant’s criminal history, which included convictions for criminal recklessness and battery.
“Your crime destroyed two families,” Gull said to Morris. “From all accounts, Liette Martinez was bright, energetic and full of potential. You took all that away.”
After the hearing, members of the Martinez family embraced Morris’ family, weeping and offering condolences to one another.
Geraldine Martinez said the family was pleased with the 60-year sentence. Over time, she said, Liette and God would help the family come to forgive Morris.
“Justice has been served. This chapter has been closed,” she said. “We will continue living our lives for Liette.”
rgreen@jg.net
