SAN ANTONIO -- The presumption of innocence seems fleeting to Julian Martinez. As a teen murder suspect he feels the perception about him is guilty until proven innocent.
"It's my life on the line," say Martinez. " It's like fighting for your life."
The victim, Amanda Acosta, does not have the opportunity to fight for her life. San Antonio Police said she was killed leaving a house party in the 200 block of Cavalier on March 14.
A bullet many believe was intended for Acosta's acquaintance hit her as she rode in the rear of a vehicle. The gunshot wound was fatal.
An eyewitness told police Martinez fired the gun that killed the 17-year-old. He was allegedly attempting to shoot Raven Moreno. An arrest warrant said Martinez knocked Moreno out during a fight earlier in the night. Martinez said the "beef" was gang related.
"If I was going at Raven I would have made sure to get him right then and there," said Martinez. "I was very aware that there were other people in the car. Innocent bystanders."
"I'm not that heartless," Martinez said. But his words are a stark contrast to the troubled teen whose street name is "JuJu."
During two separate jailhouse interviews in intervals of 20 minutes, Martinez acknowledges a video of him hanging outside of a gold SUV on the date of the murder. He also admits he was wearing a white shirt that night.
Cell phone video shows Martinez trash-talking Moreno after knocking him out. The teen said he's the person in the video.
Reporter: Did they gas you up to the point that you did get a gun and shoot at that vehicle?
Martinez: I would say that would make sense but it doesn't. The way I see it wasn't that serious.
But if it wasn't that serious then how died a teenage girl get murdered? There are pictures of Martinez from the night of the party. One photo shows what appears to be a gun.
"I heard that from you. I've heard that from the detective," he says. "Like I told the detective if there is really a gun let me see it."
But a Bexar County Grand Jury saw enough evidence to indict the south-side teen on a charge of murder. Martinez said he realizes the severity of the situation but maintains his innocence.
"I figured if I didn't do anything (why) what am I going to worry about a piece of paper," he says.
The teen's cockiness from the time of his arrest has diminished. He attributes it to six months in jail and the recent birth of his son.
"I had this whole high horse (thing) but since being in jail (I found out) there's always someone bigger and stronger than you," Martinez said. "I guess you can say I learned the hard way."
He also learned his legion of friends has decreased to one guy who sends him pictures, money and comes to visit him at the Bexar County Detention Center.
His hardest lesson may come in the courtroom when he's on trial for murder. Martinez said the uncertainty of a life in prison or a chance to be free again weighs heavily on his mind.
Reporter: Would you consider a plea deal in this case rather than go to trial?
Martinez: (Laughs) Deferred probation. That's it. Deferred probation.
Reporter: Deferred probation for a murder charge?
Martinez: Yeah sounds crazy. I mean I know it will never happen. That's why I cuz other than that I'm not taking nothing. Why would I take something for something I didn't do.
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