2 men go on trial for Coachella murder

Jury selection began Wednesday at the trial of two young men accused of murdering a man in Coachella because they thought he was disrespecting the sister of one of the defendants.

Carlos Jay Martinez, 21, and Noel Hernandez, 20, are accused in the Oct. 26, 2014, shooting death of Fabian Martinez, 23. Both men are charged with murder, while the older defendant is also charged with assault and an enhancement for using a deadly weapon — a screwdriver — in the commission of a felony.

The prosecution alleges they attacked the victim after he spoke with Hernandez’s sister and made her cry, though the nature of the conversation is unknown, according to Deputy District Attorney Jacob Silva. The pair then allegedly attacked Fabian Martinez — no relation to the older defendant — outside his home in the 48600 block of Camino Las Brisas.

Deputy District Attorney Jacob Silva alleges Hernandez put the victim in a headlock, while his co-defendant held the screwdriver to his throat. They allegedly asked Fabian Martinez what he said to Hernandez’s sister before Hernandez pulled a gun from his waistband and shot the victim, according to a trial brief prepared by Silva.

Both men were arrested by sheriff’s deputies in Palm Desert two days after the killing.