’73 rage-shoot called murder 39 years later

THE DEATH of an upper Manhattan woman early this year has been ruled a murder — 39 years after she was shot in the head, the Daily News has learned.

Evelyn Martinez, 58, who suffered from a seizure disorder since surviving the decades-old shooting, died after she collapsed on the floor of her W. 110th St. home on Jan. 19, authorities said.

The city's medical examiner ruled the Harlem woman's death a murder, citing the gunshot wound she suffered as a cause for the fatal seizure, officials said.

On March 22, 1973, Martinez was in the Bronx with her lover, Richard Rivera, when they were confronted by her ex-beau, Jose Morales, cops said.

Morales opened fire on the couple, killing Rivera and critically wounding Martinez.

"She was the best mother in the world, she was a remarkable woman," said her daughter, Lorraine Martinez, 44. "I remember her, but mostly I remember her smile."

A few days after the shooting, cops tracked down Morales at an E. 120th St. apartment in East Harlem, police said. But the jilted lover vowed not to go to prison. The coward fatally shot himself before police could cuff him, cops said.

Although investigators won't be making any arrests in her murder, the case is considered closed.

Martinez underwent extensive rehabilitation to regain brain function, but she still suffered from seizures.

"She would still go dancing even though she couldn't fully use her left side," said her son, Jose Martinez, 40. "She refused to stay down."

rparascandola@nydailynews.com

Read More @ Source

Criminal Stories Here