Jacquelyn Perea: Contribuing to delinquency of minor charge in Alicia Martinez murder case

We don't usually hear about folks accused of contributing to the delinquency of a minor -- and at first blush, the charge against Jacquelyn Perea, who allegedly took a sixteen-year old to a party where alcohol and drugs were being used, and gave her marijuana, doesn't seem especially newsworthy. But the teen in question was Alicia Martinez, and that bash led directly to her October 2010 murder -- one of the most horrific in recent memory.

As you'll recall, the autopsy for Martinez took well over a month, due in part to the grisly damage done to her; she was dismembered and partially skinned, with some parts of her body never found. Edward Timothy Romero has been charged with the crime.

Below, see the Denver District Attorney's Office release about the latest development, a larger look at Perea's booking photo, and much of our earlier coverage about this tragic case.

Denver District Attorney's Office release:

WOMAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH MURDER CASE

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey has formally charged a fourth person in connection with the October 2010 murder of a teenager.

Jacquelyn Perea (dob: 07-24-1981) is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor (F4).

The charge alleges that on October 22, 2010, Perea took the victim, 16-year-old Alicia Martinez, to a party in the 4100 block of Decatur Street knowing that alcohol and drugs would be present and that Perea provided her with marijuana. Perea reported Martinez missing the following day; her body was found on October 24, 2010.

Perea has been released from custody on a $5,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Denver County Courtroom 2100 on February 16, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. to be formally advised of the charge.

Update, 7:37 a.m. December 11: Denver District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough warned that the autopsy of Alicia Martinez, allegedly slain by Edward Timothy Romero, would be shocking, and she certainly didn't overstate the case. After Martinez was killed, her body was dismembered, with some portions of her corpse never found and the skin removed from others.

There's no way to soft-pedal these horrific facts, and stories by the Denver Post and Channel 7 don't. But at this writing, no news agency has posted the entire autopsy report, and the coverage to date seems appropriately matter-of-fact rather than blatantly exploitative. This tone won't make reading and hearing about these awful occurrences any easier for Martinez's family and friends, who are no doubt still reeling from her death, but it's probably the best that can be hoped for under these unimaginably awful circumstances.

Below, find a mug shot of Edward Timothy Romero and our earlier coverage:

Original item, December 10, 2:13 p.m.: Moments ago, Westword received a call from Denver District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough regarding the impending release of an autopsy report about October murder victim Alicia Martinez,; Edward Romero was arrested for the crime. Kimbrough's phoning local news outlets requesting "thoughtful" coverage of information that she characterizes as "very disturbing."

A previous release from the Denver coroner's office revealed that Martinez's body showed signs of "some disfigurement;" she had to be identified using dental records. Kimbrough declined to elaborate on that description at this writing, but she said the case "is very unusual. I read the report, and I found it very disturbing -- and I think it is deserving of some thoughtfulness rather than just a blanket posting of the report itself." She asks that news purveyors weigh the community's right to know against the feelings of "family members and friends of our victim."

That's good advice, and we'll endeavor to strike the right balance. Look below for our previous coverage of this terrible case.

Update, October 27, 6:44 a.m.: The admission by Denver's coroner that the body of sixteen-year-old Alicia Martinez, identified yesterday following the arrest of Edward Timothy Romero for investigation of murder, showed signs of "some disfigurement," understandably horrified her friends and family. Now, we have an idea about what this term means: Martinez had to be ID'd using dental records.

That's the word from 9News, which reported last night from Romero's home, where Martinez's body was discovered -- and where a vigil attended by approximately 200 people was held in her honor. Look below to see the station's report about the memorial, as well as our previous posts about this crime -- including the statement from the coroner's office:

Update, 12:44 p.m. October 26: The worst fears of Alicia Martinez's family and friends have been realized. Martinez, sixteen, was reported missing, and in their search for her, Denver Police officers discovered the body of a young woman -- and arrested Edward Timothy Romero on investigation of homicide.

Now, the Denver coroner confirms Martinez was the victim.

Here's the release from the coroner's office:

On October 25, 2010, the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner responded to [the 4100 block of] Decatur Street in Denver on a report of a death. The identity of the decedent has been confirmed to be Ms. Alicia V. Martinez, date of birth Feb. 9, 1994. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide but the cause of death is pending at this time. There has been some disfigurement of the body, and the autopsy is ongoing. Questions regarding the investigation should be referred to the Denver Police Department.

Look below to read our initial post about this tragic story:

Original item, 6:58 a.m. October 26: On Sunday, the Denver Police Department officers identified Edward Timothy Romero, 26, as a suspect in the case of a missing sixteen-year-old girl. They soon found Romero, as well as a dead young woman.

The DPD has not yet confirmed the victim's identity, but Alicia Martinez, sixteen, was reported missing nearby.

Look below to see the official DPD release on the crime, as well as an interactive graphic showing the area near the scene. If you have problems seeing the image, click "See Larger Map."

Denver Police Department release:

On October 24, 2010, Denver Police began an investigation into a missing 16-year old female. Police determined through interviews that missing teen might be dead. Detectives identified a suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Investigators identified the suspect as Edward Timothy Romero, 4/24/1984. Members of the Denver Police Department arrested Romero at 41st Avenue and Clay Street without incident. During a search of the crime scene, [on the 4100 block of] Decatur Street, detectives discovered the body of a young female.

Romero is currently held in the Denver City Jail for investigation of 1st degree murder. The mug shot of Romero is not being released at this time pending further investigation.

The identity of the victim and the cause of her death are not being released at this time pending the autopsy and notification of next of kin by the Office of the Medical Examiner.

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