Charles County man sentenced to 38 years in prison for brutally stabbing man to death

A 23-year-old Charles County man was sentenced to 38 years in prison on second-degree murder charges after prosecutors say he stabbed a man nearly 60 times, killing him in October 2023. 

Police say Marvin Ernesto Funez-Martinez was found guilty in the murder of Marco Alexander Pulido-Castro, 22. 

Funez-Martinez was charged with second-degree murder and carrying a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure. He was sentenced on Thursday, Jan.16. 

What led up to it

The backstory:

According to prosecutors, in the early morning hours on Oc. 29, 2023, police were called to a home in White Plains for a report of an assault and stabbing. 

When they arrived police found Pulido-Castro dead in the trunk of a Nissan Sentra, lying in the fetal position with numerous stab wounds across his body.

An investigation revealed that Funez-Martinez hired Pulido-Castro to drive him and two other friends to a club in Washington, D.C. that night. 

Pulido-Castro went into the club with the men, then drove everyone back to their home in White Plains. On the way back to the house, Pulido-Castro stopped at a gas station and he asked for some extra money for gas. 

On the way to White Plains, Funez-Martinez and Pulido-Castro got into an argument over the money.

Pulido-Castro’s car had also begun overheating at the gas station and by the time they got back to the house in White Plains, the engine continued overheating. 

Pulido-Castro stayed outside trying to fix the car while Funez-Martinez, who was already carrying a pocketknife, went inside his residence and retrieved a larger knife from the kitchen. 

While Pulido-Castro was checking under the hood of the car, Funez-Martinez came back outside and began to stab Pulido-Castro repeatedly. 

The victim tried to escape to a yard and get across the street but Funez-Martinez followed him and continued to stab him. Pulido-Castro ultimately suffered 59 stab wounds and had multiple teeth knocked out. 

After the stabbing, Funez-Martinez dragged Pulido-Castro back to the car and put his body in the trunk. He then fled to the rear of his residence. 

What happened next

Suspect Caught:

Witnesses reported Funez-Martinez’s location to responding officers, who apprehended him that morning. At the time of arrest, Funez-Martinez had multiple cuts on his hand.

Funez-Martinez admitted to the murder as the victim’s blood was found on his hands, the knife used in the attack and the sweatshirt that Funez-Martinez was wearing.

What they're saying:

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Constance Kopelman told the judge that "the defendant was particularly violent, extraordinarily dangerous. He needs to be incarcerated for as long as possible. He committed the most brutal murder I have ever seen. This was an awful way for Marco Alexander Pulido-Castro to die."

The defendant killed the victim over a really small amount of money that he actually owed the victim. [The victim] suffered. It was just cruel. It just doesn’t get more cruel than what he did to Marco Alexander Pulido-Castro. He was brutally killed for working. He didn’t get to enjoy his later years. He didn’t deserve to take his last breath on Gateway Boulevard, face to the ground, being stabbed," Kopelman continued. 

Following his prison sentence, Funez-Martinez will serve five years of supervised probation.

The Charges:

Count 1- Second Degree Murder

  • 40 years with all but 35 years suspended

Count 2 - Wear and Carry of a Dangerous Weapon with the Intent to Injure

  • 3 years
  • Consecutive to Count 1
  • 5 Years of Supervised Probation

The Source: Charles County Sheriff's Office

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