San Jose, California – A Santa Clara County judge has upheld the lengthy prison sentences of Eric Patrick Martin, a serial rapist and jail escapee from the 1970s and 1980s. Martin, who has been in prison since 1987 and currently serves a total of 136 years, sought resentencing through a series of state actions and court rulings. However, Superior Court Judge Benjamin Williams denied the request, stating that there was no evidence to demonstrate a change in Martin’s circumstances and that he still posed a significant risk to safety.
The ruling was praised by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, which expressed its gratitude to the court for considering both sides and making a well-reasoned decision. Deputy District Attorney Brian King argued against Martin’s resentencing, pointing to his extensive criminal history and lack of remorse during a 2016 parole hearing. King asserted that Martin continued to pose a threat to public safety.
Martin’s defense attorney, David Tarica, countered by highlighting his client’s personal growth and lack of violence since entering prison. Tarica argued that the court needed to evaluate the current threat posed by Martin, who is now in his late 60s, rather than solely considering his past crimes. However, while recognizing Martin’s progress, Judge Williams also acknowledged the prosecution’s contention that Martin had not actively engaged in sex-offender programming while in prison.
Williams emphasized the seriousness of Martin’s crimes in his decision. Martin had been convicted for sexual assaults committed in multiple counties during the 1970s and early 1980s. After being paroled in 1983, he was arrested for a series of attacks in San Jose, including a horrifying incident involving a mother and her young daughter. Martin later escaped custody on two occasions, highlighting the magnitude of his dangerousness.
In 2019, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation recommended recalling Martin’s sentence due to a change in state law. However, the Santa Clara County Superior Court denied the recall, as it did not apply retroactively to Martin’s case. Martin appealed this decision, and the subsequent CDCR secretary, Kathleen Allison, withdrew the department’s recall recommendation. The appellate court eventually ordered a new hearing to assess the feasibility of resentencing, leading to Judge Williams’ recent decision.
Martin is currently incarcerated at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. His next parole evaluation is scheduled for September 2031, when he will be in his mid-70s.