Family Of Marine Killed Files Wrongful Death Suit Against Boston Bar

BOSTON — The family of late U.S. Marine Daniel Martinez told the press they will be filing a wrongful death suit against the Boston bar that employed the man accused of killing Martinez.

The bouncer, Alvaro Larrama, 39, of East Boston is now facing a murder charge after he surrendered himself to police on Monday, March 21.

Officials confirm that the bar has been closed indefinitely following the loss of the bar's entertainment and liquor licenses earlier this month after a further investigation found that the managers of the bar never performed a background check on Larrama before hiring him.

Thomas Flaws, the lawyer representing the Martinez family first mentioned the family's plans to sue the bar back in March. Members of the Martinez family, friends of Daniel, and his Marine Corps brothers attended Larrama's court hearing in Boston Thursday.

"I couldn't take my eyes off of him because he needed to see the person he destroyed," Daniel's mother Apolonia Martinez said of Larrama outside the courthouse. "He killed my son and he killed a part of my heart."

Authorities also said the establishment failed to call the police following the bouncer's suspected role in the incident and had allowed armed security without approval.

Daniel's twin brother, Matthew, said he was still in shock after receiving word of his brother's death. He also explained that he was the one to drop Daniel off at the airport before he left for his Boston vacation - and that was the last time he saw him.

On Saturday, March 19, police responded to the Union Street bar just after 7 p.m. after receiving reports of a stabbing. Upon arrival, police found Martinez suffering from a single stab wound to the chest. Emergency crews brought him to the hospital where he later died.

According to prosecutors, surveillance footage shows Larrama denying Martinez and a friend entrance to the pub, then following them down the block towards Paddy O's. In the video, prosecutors say Martinez hit Larrama in the head with an aluminum beer bottle, then Larrama struck Martinez in the chest.

Police say Larrama then returned to Sons of Boston, where he washed his hands, threw away his sweatshirt, turned his shirt inside out, and left out a back entrance of the bar.

Boston police issued a warrant for Larrama's arrest after a few of his colleagues identified him as the person who stabbed Martinez, but he turned himself in two days later, police say.

Larrama, who has pleaded not guilty, is due back in court on June 15, records show.

Related

• Bouncer Surrenders In Deadly Stabbing Of Marine Outside Bar
• Boston Bar's Entertainment License Paused After Deadly Stabbing
• Family Of Marine Killed Outside Boston Bar Pressing Charges
• Bar Where Marine Was Stabbed, Killed Loses Liquor License