Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Elderly Man’s Death, Faces 40 Years
In a significant turn of events, a New Orleans man, Martin Hurtado, who was initially facing murder charges and a potential life sentence, has accepted a plea deal on Monday. In his plea, he admitted to manslaughter and agreed to a maximum 40-year prison sentence. This decision marks a crucial development in the case, providing some closure to the victim’s family and avoiding a lengthy and emotional trial.
Martin Hurtado, aged 30, reached this agreement with the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office for the death of 75-year-old David Sorenson, which occurred on December 1, 2022. Previously, Hurtado had been charged with second-degree murder.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams expressed his commitment to seeking justice, saying, “We demanded accountability for Mr. Sorenson and his family, and our prosecutors, with the help of New Orleans District, worked tirelessly to secure a conviction. This resolution not only resulted in a substantial 40-year prison sentence, it removed the risk of an extremely emotional and stressful trial process for the family of Mr. Sorenson.”
Details of the Agreement
The online court records do not specify the agreed-upon sentence term, but it has been noted that Hurtado will be sentenced in court on October 6, 2023.
The tragic incident took place at the Avenue Plaza Hotel in the New Orleans Garden District neighborhood on December 1, 2022. Around 11 p.m., police were summoned after an individual attempted to activate a fire alarm and gain access to a room on the sixth floor.
When confronted by Sorenson’s wife, who was in the room, Hurtado, later identified as the assailant, initiated a physical altercation by punching Sorenson in the face. In response, Sorenson’s wife sought help, and the police arrived to find Sorenson on the floor in his room. Thankfully, his wife was unharmed physically.
At the time of his arrest, responding officers discovered Hurtado still in the room, with Sorenson suffering from head and facial injuries. Hurtado had apparent injuries to his hand and blood around his face and nose.
Sorenson was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly before midnight. The Orleans Parish coroner determined that the cause of death was blunt-force trauma.
Hurtado’s Recollection
During interviews with detectives, Hurtado claimed that the last thing he remembered was drinking at the restaurant where he worked around 6 p.m. The restaurant was situated nearby, up the street from the victim’s hotel. Beyond that, Hurtado asserted that he had no recollection of the events that transpired.
Jason Williams emphasized that Sorenson’s family was kept informed throughout the process of securing a 40-year conviction sentence, and they endorsed this outcome.
A Message of Public Safety
In conclusion, Williams urged the community to unite in demanding public safety. He stated, “Today, as we grieve the tragic loss of an innocent visitor in Uptown New Orleans, we must stand united in our call for public safety. Let this conviction send a resounding message to our community that we will not tolerate the senseless loss of life and that we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all who visit and reside in our beloved city.”