Vince Rodriguez

Vince Rodriguez is a news reporter for KOAT in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has reported on various stories including flash flooding in Ruidoso and a military plane crash at the Albuquerque Sunport. However, his most notable coverage was the trial of Fabian Gonzales and Michelle Martens in relation to the death of 10-year-old Victoria Martens. In August 2016, Victoria's body was found dismembered in an apartment bathtub. Michelle Martens, her mother, Fabian Gonzales, and his cousin Jessica Kelley were all charged with intentional abuse of a child resulting in death, aggravated criminal sexual penetration of a child under 13 years old, murder, and tampering with evidence. The investigation into Victoria's death was extensive. CYFD had been called to the family five times before her death. An autopsy revealed that Victoria had a sexually transmitted disease but no drugs in her system despite Michelle Martens' claims otherwise. In January 2017, a new prosecutor, Raul Torrez, took over the case and formed a new team of investigators due to concerns about how the investigation was handled. In March 2017, Jessica Kelley revealed details about the night Victoria was killed and how drugs may have played a role. Investigators found digital footprints that contradicted suspects' stories, including phone records showing they were on their phones before and after Victoria's death. DNA evidence was also sent out of state to be tested using new technology called STRmix. In June 2018, Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrez announced that rape and murder charges against Michelle Martens and Fabian Gonzales had been dropped due to cellphone data proving they were not at the apartment at the time of Victoria's death. The only person charged with murder was an unidentified male whose DNA was found on Victoria's body. Michelle Martens eventually pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless child abuse resulting in death, and Jessica Kelley reached a plea deal in 2019. Fabian Gonzales went to trial in July 2022 and was found guilty of reckless abuse of a child resulting in death and tampering with evidence.