Nevada Father Sentenced to Life for Horrific Act of Infant Daughter’s Death, Sparks Mental Health Discussion in Court

Las Vegas, NV – A Nevada court has handed down a life sentence to a local man for the gruesome murder of his infant daughter, an act that concluded with a perilous police chase and left the Las Vegas community in disbelief.

Clarence Martin Jr., 37, became the focal point of a tragic case after he was convicted for the murder of his seven-week-old daughter, London, in a shocking incident that happened more than four years ago. The sentencing, held in October 2024, came after Martin was found guilty of several felonies. He will be eligible for parole after serving 49 and a half years, as ordered by District Judge Carli Kierny.

During the trial, Martin’s defense team argued that he was under a severe mental health crisis at the time of the incident, suggesting that his diagnosed schizoaffective disorder led to a delusional state in which he committed the act. The defense pleaded for his parole eligibility to be established after 25 years, highlighting his severe psychological issues.

The harrowing sequence of events started on October 24, 2020. Reports noted that Martin exhibited bizarre and erratic behavior in the days leading up to the crime. The confrontation with his partner escalated violently, ultimately leading Martin to snatch his baby daughter and throw her off a second-floor balcony, according to the arrest report.

The infant was tragically found lifeless in the parking lot below the balcony. In a subsequent and horrifying act, Martin set fire to their apartment, which resulted in the death of the family’s pet poodle. Witnesses recounted hearing Martin vehemently accuse his partner of being unfaithful as he fled the scene.

The situation escalated as Martin engaged in a high-speed chase with local law enforcement, causing multiple vehicle crashes. His desperate run from justice ended at a nearby airport where he attempted an ill-conceived escape via a luggage conveyor belt, eventually leading to his arrest on the airport tarmac.

Following his arrest, Martin was charged with open murder, animal cruelty, and arson, among other offenses. His defense highlighted his fragmented memories of the event, suggesting he believed he was in a movie-like scenario, further underscoring his disoriented mental state.

However, despite the defense’s efforts to highlight his mental health issues, the court found Martin guilty of 13 felony counts, including murder, abuse, and battery associated with aggressive encounters with police during the pursuit.

Throughout the legal proceedings, the impact of the crime on the baby’s mother was palpable. She attended the sentencing, expressing a conflicted mix of grief and understanding. “He just needs help,” she told Judge Kierny, encapsulating the profound and troubling intersection of mental illness and criminal behavior witnessed in this case.

This sentencing closes a chapter on a particularly disturbing event in the Las Vegas area, yet it underscores ongoing issues related to mental health and the criminal justice system’s handling of such sensitive situations.