Boston bar bouncer sentenced to at least 17 years in prison for killing Marine veteran in 2022
BOSTON - Alvaro Larrama, the bouncer charged with killing a Marine veteran two years ago at a Boston bar, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Thursday.
Change of plea
Larrama, 40, of East Boston, changed his plea at a hearing in Suffolk Superior Court. Judge Josh Wall sentenced him to 17 to 20 years in prison, with credit for the nearly two years he has served since his arrest.
"Did you stab Daniel Martinez in the chest?" Larrama was asked.
"I did," said Larrama in court as he changed his plea to guilty.
Larrama had pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the stabbing death of 23-year-old Daniel Martinez of Chicago outside the Sons of Boston pub on Union Street in March 2022.
Martinez and his friends were in town for St. Patrick's Day weekend. They left the bar that night and later tried to get back in, but ended up in an argument. As they walked away, Larrama followed them.
Investigators said surveillance video showed Martinez hitting Larrama in the head with an aluminum beer bottle. Larrama then stabbed Martinez in the chest, according to prosecutors. Police said workers at the bar did not call 911.
Victim's mother addresses Larrama
The victim's mother, Apolonia Martinez, addressed him directly in court and didn't mince words in her victim impact statement. "You are a complete failure who will be forgotten. You will answer to God one day. Take responsibility for your actions and then do the right for once in your life," she said as she clutched a photo of her son.
Larrama offered an apology to the family. "First and foremost I want to apologize to Mrs. Martinez and her family for causing insurmountable pain, sorrow, grief and anguish," said Larrama.
Outside court Apolonia Martinez offered this reaction to his statement. "I didn't feel up until the moment I heard the statement that it was genuine. I forgive him, but I stand firm he should spend 20 years in prison," Apolonia Martinez said.
The judge ordered 17 to 20 years, while Apolonia Martinez relived the painful moments of that night recounted by the prosecutor including crude words she said she never heard before from witnesses who confronted Larrama that night. "That guy is leaking; this isn't Florida you can't do that here."
Larrama's family left the court without commenting. For the Martinez family they say a trial would have been too painful. "I'm glad it's over. We need closure and move on with our lives and some type of healing," said Apolonia Martinez.
Bartender helped bouncer escape
Alisha Dumeer, a bartender and part owner of the bar, later admitted to helping Larrama change his bloody clothes and escape that night.
She pleaded guilty last November to accessory after the fact to murder. She was placed under house arrest for six months and on probation for three years.
Martinez family suing Boston bar
The bar, which is near popular tourist destinations in Boston like Faneuil Hall and the Union Oyster House, later changed its name to The Loyal Nine.
The family still wants to hold the bar responsible for a security failure that night and is moving forward with a civil suit seeking monetary damages.