By Khalida Sarwari
A man convicted of murder escaped from court in Salinas this morning before Monterey County sheriff’s deputies captured him a short time later near an elementary school.
The inmate, identified as 22-year-old Salinas resident Mike Martinez, was walking with a group of inmates in the north wing of the courthouse at about 7:30 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office.
Martinez was sentenced on Tuesday to 40 years to life in prison for murder and other related charges.
He was scheduled to appear this morning for a pre-trial hearing in a separate case involving charges of transportation of a controlled substance, sales of a controlled substance, possession for sale of a controlled substance and participation in a street gang, according to the sheriff’s office.
Just when he neared the steps to enter the courthouse, located at 240 Church St., Martinez slipped his left foot out of his leg shackles and took off running toward Gabilan Street, sheriff’s officials said.
Two deputies chased Martinez to Roosevelt Elementary School, where they finally caught him a short time later and took him into custody without incident.
Martinez was taken to Monterey County Jail and did not attend his hearing.
He was still in belly chain restraints when he escaped, but it is not yet clear how he was able to slip his foot out of the leg restraint, sheriff’s officials said.
The last time an inmate tried to escape from the courthouse was last September. Deputies were able to catch the inmate, who had managed to find a handcuff key and wore civilian clothing underneath his jumpsuit.