Man sentenced to prison for murder of handyman who 'did absolutely nothing' to provoke him

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SALT LAKE CITY — A West Valley City man was ordered Friday to serve a term of 15 years to life in the Utah State Prison in a sentence the prosecutor said was "entirely appropriate" after the man pleaded guilty to murdering a handyman who had been working on the house next door.

"The defendant took the life of an individual who did absolutely nothing to provoke the defendant," deputy Salt Lake County district attorney Bradford Cooley said.

The result of Jesus Adolfo Valdez Jr.'s actions is that family members of Melbin Martinez no longer have a son, husband and father, Cooley said, adding that he hopes Valdez reflects on the victim's daughter, a 5-year-old girl now growing up without a father, while he is in prison.

The victim's brother-in-law, Kevin Campos, shared a statement from the family saying Valdez has an extensive criminal history and his crimes have escalated. He said Valdez deserves a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Valdez, 34, pleaded guilty on Sept. 9 to murder, a first-degree felony, in a plea deal. In exchange for his plea, multiple charges including felony discharge of a weapon, a first-degree felony, and possession of a weapon as a restricted person, a second-degree felony, were dismissed.

He admitted to shooting Martinez on May 28, 2020. Martinez, 39, was found with three gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

Valdez's parents painted a picture of him already being agitated before the shooting, starting with an argument in the house earlier that afternoon during which he "broke a television and a bedroom door," the charges state. The father said he got home from work and saw Valdez outside putting the pieces of the door he had broken into a garbage can and then yelled at his son for his conduct. About 30 minutes later — after Martinez was shot — Valdez was seen leaving the area on his motorcycle.

West Valley police said on the day of the shooting that Martinez had done work on the home previously and developed a bad relationship with some neighbors "due to noise."

Valdez shared a short statement at his sentencing.

"I'm sorry for what happened, and I hope to get the help I need in prison," he said.

Third District Judge Dianna Gibson encouraged Valdez to get help, adding, "I do hope that you take advantage of the resources in prison so that hopefully when you're released you'll be able to start new."

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Emily Ashcraft

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Emily Ashcraft is an award-winning reporter for KSL.com. She covers state courts and legal affairs as well as health and religion news. In her spare time, Emily enjoys crafting, cycling and raising chickens.