Jothan Martinez: Wounded NSW man accused of firebombing Melbourne home
A Sydney man accused of firebombing a Melbourne house this week is too unwell to appear in court.
Jothan Martinez, 21, from Bexley, was charged by police on Christmas Eve with offenses including criminal damage by fire and careless conduct endangering life after a property was allegedly set on fire in Yarraville.
Police allege that a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the house on Fogarty Boulevard at around 23:00 on December 22.
It is claimed that there were four people inside at that time; However, no one was physically injured and the two male attackers fled the scene.
Mr Martinez’s case was called for hearing in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday; however, the defendant was not well enough to attend the hearing.
His lawyer stated that his client was “quite bad” and that court security was of the opinion that it was “impossible for him to be interviewed” and asked for the matter to be postponed until Saturday.
The court was told Mr Martinez was transferred from hospital to a holding cell on Friday and his physical injuries, including “open wounds”, needed to be monitored.
According to Victoria Police, Mr Martinez was arrested after allegedly getting into a physical fight with three other men at around 5.50pm after returning home to Yarraville on December 23.
He allegedly had “cut wounds” and was taken to hospital after a member of the public found the man a short time later.
In indictments issued by the court, police alleged that Mr. Martinez put the residents of the home in danger of death after throwing a Molotov cocktail through his bedroom window and setting a bed on fire.
Mr. Martinez also allegedly assaulted a police officer on December 23 and gave a false name to investigators.
According to Victoria Police, investigations into the incident are ongoing and police are actively searching for other individuals.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
Mr. Martinez is expected to return to court on Saturday.
