Defendant Convicted of Murders, Attempted Murders from Stabbings at Wellness Center
DATE: July 12, 2024
CASE: Martin Lackey-Garcia (Case #20FE004111)
PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Frederick Gotha, Homicide Unit
Martin Lackey-Garcia was convicted by a jury of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. The jury also found true a special circumstance of multiple murders.
On February 28, 2020, Martin Lackey-Garcia went to the Wellness and Recovery Center in Carmichael and met with a counselor. Lackey-Garcia became enraged and attacked the counselor, fatally stabbing her multiple times. When a receptionist tried to save her, Lackey-Garcia stabbed the receptionist multiple times. That victim survived her injuries, including fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. Lackey-Garcia then entered the building courtyard and chased employees of the wellness center. When one of the employees fell to the ground while attempting to flee, Lackey-Garcia stabbed him in the back and slashed his arm. That victim survived but also suffered severe injuries including a severed artery. As employees fled the building, Lackey-Garcia re-entered the office and stabbed a fourth victim, killing him. Lackey-Garcia then exited the building and was soon apprehended by law enforcement.
Lackey-Garcia faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is set for August 8, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 10 before the Honorable Ernest Sawtelle.