Atlantic City, NJ, Man Sentenced For 2020 Murder

An Atlantic City man will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing a woman in 2020.

On Friday, 72-year-old Maximo Santiago was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of 32-year-old Marketa Thorpe.

The 40-year sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning Santiago must serve 85%, or 34 years, before becoming eligible for parole. He would be about 106 years old at that time.

He was also sentenced to a term of five years in prison for a weapons charge.

Guilty

Back in March, a jury found Santiago guilty of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and certain person not to possess a weapon, after a week-long trial.

Timeline

Following an argument on September 12th, 2020, Santiago shot and killed Thorpe with a rifle on the 1500 block Belfield Avenue in Atlantic City.

Authorities say Santiago and Thorpe had been involved in a relationship and had known each other for many years.

1500 block of Belfield Avenue in Atlantic City - Photo: Google Maps

In reporting from The Courier Post from the day after the killing, Santiago told police he and Thorpe were arguing on his front porch around 11:15 AM when she allegedly tried to hit him with "a metal object" and a broomstick. He responded by retrieving a rifle and shooting her.

Santiago was arrested after trying to leave the scene in his vehicle.

'Dangerous recidivist'

During Friday's sentencing, the Court noted that Santiago is a dangerous recidivist who has committed violent crimes against women.

This case was investigated by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and the Atlantic City Police Department.

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