Wilkes-Barre homicide suspect rejects plea offer, trial set for October

WILKES-BARRE — Against the advice of his two court-appointed attorneys, homicide suspect Natanihel Sanmartin rejected a plea offer from Luzerne County prosecutors Wednesday, taking a chance with a jury for acquittal, decades in prison or, worst case scenario, life behind bars without parole.

Sanmartin, 42, was charged by Wilkes-Barre police detectives with fatally shooting his girlfriend, Carla Pina, inside their shared residence at 42 Darling St. on Feb. 12, 2023.

During a status conference before Judge David W. Lupas, where Assistant District Attorney Carly Levandoski explained the plea offer, Sanmartin — who has spoken and understood English during previous court proceedings, requested a Spanish interpreter.

A Spanish translator appeared via video conference after a delay.

The plea offer, as presented by Levandoski and Assistant District Attorney Anthony Cardone, involved a guilty plea to third-degree murder, endangering the welfare of children and reckless endangerment, with a sentence of 20 to 40 years in state prison.

Sanmartin’s co-defense attorneys, John B. Pike and Max C. Lubin, explained each of the five elements of an open count of criminal homicide.

Pike explained to Sanmartin if he is convicted of first-degree murder, he could face life in prison without parole, and a conviction of second-degree murder involves life in prison. Pike further told Sanmartin he could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of third-degree murder, and 20 years and five years if convicted of voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter, respectively. There is also a chance Sanmartin could be acquitted by the jury, Pike said.

Lupas also reviewed the plea offer with Sanmartin, who responded, “I refuse” and “I reject.”

Pike said, for the record, Sanmartin decided to reject the plea offer against the advice of his two defense attorneys.

Court records say Sanmartin went into a bedroom where a 3-year-old child was sleeping and fired a shot from a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.

Pina went into the bedroom, where she was shot in the face and killed, court records say.

Prosecutors were permitted to present a domestic disturbance incident involving Sanmartin and Pina during the trial. The domestic incident occurred about six weeks before the fatal shooting.

Pike informed the judge Sanmartin requested new defense attorneys, which was promptly denied by Lupas.

Sanmartin’s trial is scheduled for October.