A Bronx astronomer convicted of sexually assaulting and murdering 13-year-old girl, Minerliz Sorianos, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The case was solved using familial DNA, a scientific technique that linked Martinez to the crime decades later through DNA in his father's criminal database. Despite the conviction and the DNA match, Martinez maintains his innocence. The victim's family was relieved at the conviction. The discovery of the cold case was made during a hearing in Bronx Criminal Court where Martinez was unmasked as a killer.