Brothers face murder charges

South County Courthouse

Two brothers will stand trial for murder on Aug. 19 in the 2009 shooting death of a young man on Paradise Valley Road.

Darren Roy Martinez, 21, and Hector Martinez, 18, waived their right to have a speedy trial last month in San Diego Superior Court.

They are accused of killing Guillermo Esparza, 18, around 2:15 a.m. on Aug. 21, 2009.

Esparza and a friend were walking on a sidewalk in the 7300 block of Paradise Valley Road when they were confronted by the two suspects in a verbal altercation, according to court records.

One suspect issued a gang challenge and fired a gun, killing Esparza.

Both men were ordered to stand trial on April 20 following a preliminary hearing.

Darren Martinez was arrested by the Sheriff’s Department on Dec. 23, 2009, and his brother was arrested on Jan. 25 by probation department officials.

Hector Martinez was 17 years old at the time of the murder, but he was ordered to stand trial as an adult.

Darren Martinez is being held without bail at the South Bay Detention Facility while Hector Martinez remains in the downtown central jail without bail.