PORT JEFFERSON, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A man and his girlfriend were sentenced for their roles in the 2021 fatal stabbing of a man on a Long Island greenway, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Tuesday.
Jose Martinez-Vazquez, 25, pleaded guilty to murder for fatally stabbing Benjamin Flores-Mendez and Tiffany Diaz-Cabrera, 21, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for acting as a look out while the stabbing took place.
The fatal stabbing happened on June 17, 2021. Martinez-Vasquez and Diaz-Cabrera followed the victim into the Port Jefferson Station entrance of the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail, officials said.
According to court documents, Martinez-Vazquez admitted to fatally stabbing Flores-Mendez multiple times while Diaz-Cabrera served as his lookout. Flores-Mendez was later discovered lying in the entrance of the trail by good Samaritans.
On March 5, 2023, Suffolk County homicide detectives arrested Martinez-Vazquez and Diaz-Cabrera.
Martinez-Vazquez was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison on Aug. 28.
Diaz-Cabrera pleaded guilty to manslaughter on April 22. On Oct. 7, Diaz-Cabrera was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.
"The lengthy prison terms handed down to both defendants reflect the severity of their actions and our commitment to public safety," said District Attorney Tierney. "This brutal attack on our greenway trail – a place meant for recreation and community gathering – shook our citizens to the core. With these sentences, we hope to restore a sense of security to our public spaces and deter future acts of violence."