Multiple 911 calls about gunshots ringing down the street led authorities to arrive at a condo in Fort Worth, Texas. There they saw a brutal and bloody crime scene with two dead. Survey Discovery’The Devil Speaks: Buried at the Ranch’ delves into the gross murders of Michael Humphreys and Sandra Walton and how authorities caught the killer. So, let’s find out what happened next, shall we?
How did Michael Humphreys and Sandra Walton die?
Michael Humphreys was a 19-year-old described as a funny, cheerful guy with lots of energy. He was a talented pool player who dreamed of turning professional. At the time, he was good friends with Sandra Walton, 29, his pool partner. On the evening of September 20, 2000, the two were hanging out at Sandra’s house with her brother, David, and Michael’s girlfriend, Andrea.
Sometime after midnight on September 21, several shots were heard outside Sandra’s house. When authorities arrived, they saw Michael and Sandra shot by a high-powered gun. Sandra was still in the driver’s seat and was shot at least ten times while Michael was found face down about 10 to 12 feet away, shot about eight times. Theft was excluded as a motive because the exaggeration made it clear that it was personal. Police recovered bullet casings from the scene and the murder weapon was later identified as a 223 August caliber rifle.
Who killed Michael Humphreys and Sandra Walton?
Authorities soon learned of Sandra’s ex-boyfriend, James Edward Martinez. The two dated for a few weeks before Sandra broke up with him. At the time, James claimed he was home all night, but admitted she owed him money – around $1,000. According to the show, police later found audio tapes at Sandra’s home containing recordings of conversations between her and James; there seemed to be some animosity because James was keen on getting the money back.
In May 2000, Sandra had issued a promissory note for the $1,000 to James. She had also told friends that he stalked her. While James had a motive, authorities still needed physical evidence to link him to the murders. This happened when a friend of James’s showed up with information. He claimed James left a black canvas bag with him. The friend told police where he was, and police found him wrapped in garbage bags and duct tape.
Inside they found the murder weapon along with ammunition magazines, black clothing and body armor. It was stated on the show that James’ DNA was found on the clothing, thus linking him to the murders. A search of James’ storage unit revealed more ammunition, firearms, illegal knives and books on how to kill and dispose of a body. Police also found the promissory note signed by Sandra some time before her murder.
How did James Edward Martinez die?
Authorities believed the murder was premeditated; James was known to stalk, harass and threaten Sandra in the past. In fact, on the night of the murders, he was knocking on Sandra’s door saying, “Your time is almost up. In January 2002, James was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death by lethal injection. On March 10, 2009, he was executed in a prison in Huntsville, Texas. He was 34 at the time and said before his death: “I want to tell my mother that I love her and I want to thank her for everything she has done for me. I love my sister too, and I hope you can move on after this. It will be fine. Take care huh?”
Read more: How did Doug and Rozina Anderson die?
