LA PLATA, MD—Marvin Ernesto Funez-Martinez, 23, of White Plains, was sentenced to 38 years in prison by Charles County Circuit Court Judge Donine Carrington Martin on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Funez-Martinez was convicted of the second-degree murder of Marco Alexander Pulido-Castro and the wear and carry of a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure. Upon release, Funez-Martinez will face five years of supervised probation.
The conviction stems from a violent incident on October 29, 2023. Officers responding to a report of an assault and stabbing in White Plains discovered Pulido-Castro unresponsive in the trunk of a Nissan Sentra. The victim, positioned in the fetal position, had suffered 59 stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation revealed that Funez-Martinez had hired Pulido-Castro to drive him and two others to a Washington, D.C. club. After the group returned to White Plains, tensions arose when Pulido-Castro requested additional money for gas. Although the victim’s vehicle began overheating at a gas station, he managed to drive the group to their destination. At the residence, Pulido-Castro remained outside to inspect his overheating vehicle.
Funez-Martinez, already carrying a pocketknife, went inside to retrieve a larger kitchen knife. Returning outside, he approached Pulido-Castro and began stabbing him without provocation. The victim attempted to flee across the street but was pursued by Funez-Martinez, who continued to stab him repeatedly. Pulido-Castro sustained multiple injuries, including the loss of several teeth. Following the attack, Funez-Martinez dragged the victim’s body to the trunk of his vehicle and fled to the rear of his residence. Witnesses provided his location to responding officers, who apprehended him that morning. At the time of his arrest, Funez-Martinez had fresh cuts on his hands.
During the investigation, Funez-Martinez admitted to the murder. Forensic evidence, including the victim’s blood on Funez-Martinez’s hands, the knife used in the attack, and his sweatshirt, further implicated him in the crime.
At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Constance Kopelman described the murder as one of the most violent and brutal cases she had ever encountered. “The defendant was particularly violent, extraordinarily dangerous. He needs to be incarcerated for as long as possible,” she stated. Kopelman emphasized the senselessness of the crime, saying, “The defendant killed the victim over a really small amount of money that he actually owed the victim. [The victim] suffered. It was just cruel. It just doesn’t get more cruel than what he did to Marco Alexander Pulido-Castro.”
Kopelman also highlighted the tragic circumstances of the victim’s death. “He was brutally killed for working. He didn’t get to enjoy his later years. He didn’t deserve to take his last breath on Gateway Boulevard, face to the ground, being stabbed,” she said.
Funez-Martinez was sentenced to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, with all but 35 years suspended, and an additional 3 years for wearing and carrying a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure. These sentences will be served consecutively, and Funez-Martinez will be subject to five years of supervised probation upon release.
