An illegal migrant accused of killing a father and injuring an elderly woman during a police chase in Orange County appeared stricken while trying to hide his face in court on Thursday.
Colombian national Darwin Felipe Bahamon Martinez, 21, who had been set free by the Biden administration, allegedly killed a 59-year-old man and injured an 83-year-old woman during a January 21 police pursuit.
During a preliminary hearing in Orange County Superior Court, Martinez flashed a look of fear as a sheriff’s deputy led him into a cage in the courtroom and locked him inside.
Martinez hid himself behind the cage barrier, out of sight of attorneys, the judge and court audience. At one point during the three-minute hearing, he covered his face with a brown envelope.
Martinez appeared nervous but was able to answer as Judge Fernando Valle began questioning him about his upcoming court dates.
When Valle asked Martinez if he understood the charges, Martinez replied: “Yes.”
Prosecutors said patrol cops in Placentia saw Martinez drive his dark-colored Jeep Gladiator recklessly and nearly ram a parked car, prompting them to attempt a traffic stop.
Instead, Martinez allegedly took off. After a three-minute chase, he plowed into at least two additional cars — killing beloved father Jose Antonio Ramos Hernandez and injuring the 83-year-old woman, according to police.
Martinez is currently being held on $2 million bail after pleading not guilty to charges of gross vehicular manslaughter, evading a police officer causing death and reckless driving.
He is next due in court on July 7.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Martinez illegally entered the country near Chula Vista in August 2023.
ICE officials say Martinez was nabbed by authorities after illegally crossing the California-Mexico border, but was allowed back on the streets during Biden’s presidency.
“He was released into the U.S. under the Biden administration’s so-called ‘catch-and-release’ policies, but if that hadn’t happened, the innocent 59-year-old driver he allegedly killed may still be alive today,” ICE officials said in a statement.
ICE lodged an immigration detainer against him on Jan. 22, though California’s sanctuary state laws do not compel local authorities to transfer illegal migrants charged with crimes into federal custody.
“If local officials in Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary California choose to release Bahamon Martinez into the community, they will put ALL Californians at risk,” ICE officials said.
“California must honor our immigration detainer. Otherwise, ICE will be forced to re-arrest this criminal illegal alien at-large.”