Martinez charged with Horn's murder

Ernesto Ivan Martinez on Tuesday was charged with murder in the weekend slaying of Barry T. Horn, the executive director of the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art.

Martinez, a Brownsville man who turned 20 today, was charged with one count of murder, one count of motor vehicle theft and one count of burglary, said a Brownsville police press release issued Tuesday evening.

On Monday afternoon, Martinez was turned over to Brownsville police after he was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on a warrant charging him with theft.

 “Yesterday afternoon at about 7:49 p.m. Brownsville Police Department presented an individual for inspection at B&M Bridge,” said CBP spokesman Eddie Perez. “Ernesto Ivan Martinez was brought back from Matamoros, was processed at the passport processing area and was identified as a suspect wanted on an outstanding warrant for auto theft. He was turned over to the Brownsville Police Department.”

The theft warrant, issued by the Brownsville Police Department, pertains to Horn’s 2008 Hyundai Sonata, which police allege Martinez stole from Horn’s residence at 1400 Flor de Mayo this past weekend.

“There was also a vehicle brought over (into the U.S.) yesterday afternoon,” Perez said. “That vehicle was reported as a stolen vehicle and it was brought over on a wrecker through Veteran’s International Bridge.”

Martinez was detained Sunday in Matamoros by the Policia Ministerial del Estado after Mexican authorities received information from Brownsville police that Martinez was thought to be in Matamoros, said an official with the Policia Ministerial who asked that his name not be used.

Brownsville police will not discuss the details of Martinez’s arrest.

CBP said Brownsville police escorted Martinez into the U.S. However, the CBP declined to say whether they went beyond the international boundary on the bridge to take him into custody. Mexican officials also would not disclose details of the arrest.

However, Perez added,  “The process for an extradition from Mexico to the U.S. is that either Mexican law enforcement authorities or Mexican immigration officials bring the subject to the middle of the bridge and turn him over to us. In some cases local law enforcement agencies will go into Mexico through their liaisons and take custody of the subject at their facility in Mexico and bring him over to us for processing.”

Tuesday afternoon, Brownsville police detectives and Brownsville Fire Department Rescue Divers were seen combing a resaca on Alton Gloor Boulevard across from Solomon Ortiz Elementary, apparently searching for a weapon used in the slaying. The location of the resaca is less than a quarter of a mile from Horn’s residence. It could not be learned Tuesday afternoon if anything was found.

Horn, 59, was found dead in his west Brownsville home Saturday afternoon. Police said he had been stabbed to death and evidence indicates there was a struggle between Horn and his killer.

A co-worker discovered his body after Horn failed to show up at the museum in preparation for Saturday night’s fundraising gala.

Police said Horn’s attacker gained entry into his home without consent.

In a press release, Brownsville police said, “We believe that Martinez has first-hand knowledge of the crime on Flor de Mayo and we also suspect he is in possession of the victim’s car.”

Brownsville police portrayed Martinez as Horn’s former partner, although friends have refuted the claims saying the relationship was strictly paternal.

Law enforcement officials say Martinez lived with Horn until they had a falling out.

Justice of the Peace Tony Torres said he arrived on the scene a little after 1 p.m. to pronounce Horn dead and ordered an autopsy.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the preliminary autopsy report was not immediately available.

Brownsville investigators say Horn’s car was missing from his home as were several other personal items.

Horn’s vehicle has since been recovered and on Tuesday was parked at the headquarters of the Brownsville Police Department. Yellow crime scene tape was wrapped around the car.

Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos confirmed his office is working with Brownsville police on the case.