Massachusetts

A former bouncer changed his plea to guilty Thursday in a case stemming from the deadly stabbing of a U.S. Marine outside a Boston bar over two years ago.Alvaro Larrama, of East Boston, entered the change of plea Thursday morning in Suffolk Superior Court, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. He was originally facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter. The plea agreement enacted on Thursday only included the manslaughter charge. Larrama, a former bouncer at the Sons of Boston bar, was charged after prosecutors said he fatally stabbed 23-year-old Daniel Martinez, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps from Chicago who was visiting Boston to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in 2022.Boston police said Martinez and a friend were trying to enter the bar on Union Street while Larrama was working as the doorman on March 19, 2022.According to authorities, Martinez and his friend began to walk away after exchanging words with Larrama. Police said Larrama then followed Martinez “with an unknown object in his right hand.”Police said Martinez appeared unaware at first but he turned and struck Larrama with a bottle. In the ensuing physical altercation, police said Martinez suffered a fatal stab wound to the left side of his chest.Investigators said security camera footage showed Larrama going back into the bar after the stabbing to wash his hands and change clothes before leaving out a back door.Martinez’s family attended the change of plea hearing on Thursday and delivered emotional impact statements before Larrama’s sentencing.”Daniel was only 23-years-old. You had no right to take his life,” said Apolonia Martinez, the victim’s mother. “You are nothing and a nobody on your way to nowhere. You squandered your life and have nothing to show for it.”Afterward, she said the family did not want the case to go to trial.”It’s too much for us. It’s already been two years and it’s taking a toll on us,” she said. Larrama was emotional as he made a statement in court accepting responsibility. He also read a psalm.”In your mind and in your heart, I want you to know that I am solely accountable for Mr. Martinez’s death,” he said. Larrama was sentenced to 17 to 20 years in prison but will get credit for the two years already served.”I do feel it was genuine and I do forgive him, but I still stand firm that he should spend the 20 years in prison,” said Apolonia Martinez. In November 2023, a part-owner and daytime bartender at Sons of Boston pleaded guilty to a charge of accessory to murder after the fact in connection with Martinez’s death.Alisha Dumeer, of Everett, originally denied knowing what happened after the stabbing, but prosecutors claimed surveillance video showed her talking to Larrama inside the bar moments after the incident. She eventually admitted to helping Larrama change his clothes after the stabbing.Dumeer was sentenced to three years of probation with the first six months being served as home confinement. A judge also ordered Dumeer to complete 100 hours of community service during each year of probation.