More details revealed after DNA leads to arrest in cold-case murder

Published 2021-11-30
New details were revealed during an arraignment for the suspect charged in the 22-year-old murder of a 13-year-old girl in the Bronx.

Joseph Martinez, 49, was arraigned Tuesday following his arrest on Monday.

He is accused of killing 13-year-old Minerliz "Minnie" Soriano in the Bronx in 1999.

Soriano's body was discovered in a dumpster. She was apparently on her way home in Co-Op City at the time of the murder.

Officials allege that Martinez, who now goes by "Jupiter Joe" and teaches astronomy to children, strangled the victim sometime between Feb. 24 and Feb. 28 of that year.

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All Comments (21)
  • @GeorgiaWhisper
    The fact that he allegedly violated that sweet girl and he has the audacity to work around children is scary, creepy and disgusting.
  • Just because a person doesn't have a criminal record doesn't mean they haven't done the crime. I hope the family get justice
  • @leesteal4458
    I don't understand why both attorneys and reporters like to stress that someone has no criminal history. Some of those walking amongst us with no criminal history have done more than hardened criminals.
  • @annetteb2432
    what gets me is all those years he’s walking around like nothing ever happened, but his attention was still focused on children. I think they should keep looking through the children's cold case files.😢💋
  • The fact that he got to walk around for 22 years a free man is so heartbreaking. Great work to the police who didn’t let this case fade away.
  • @xujin583
    I'm more concerned this might not be the only crime he committed. Dig deeper, detectives.
  • @lauriewolfe2959
    The crime is so horrific against a child, of course he is claiming to be innocent. He portrayed himself as a pillar of the community with no conscious. Shameful that his family also must face this shame. Never let your little girls be easy prey. He probably watched her until the day he pounced. Condolences to her family who finally got justice.
  • @hothotheat3000
    This dude was out here walking around like a normal guy. Imagine how many rapists and killers we’ve walked past without knowing.
  • @tonymontana4284
    Killing a child then just living your life like normal ? No conscience.
  • His lawyer says "no criminal history"... Well, he didn't have a criminal history until he is caught, they all start somewhere. May not even be the first time he has done something like this.
  • I’m just happy he’s caught and not around anymore kids. It’s completely sad and hats off to the detective, thank you for your hard work. RIP Angel!❤️🙏
  • He thought noone saw what he did but God seen him. God is a God of justice.
  • @Unlike230
    I prayed for this day to come. I never forgot what happened to you. Everytime I passed where they found you I always asked God to bring you justice. You can rest in peace now. God bless you, your family and the cops who brought you justice.
  • We in NJ had a double murder of 2 teenage girls solved after 40 years !!!!.It is never too late for justice
  • I remember this story. This happened several years after my folks moved us out of the Bronx and out of state. I was so mad that we had to leave….but I understood why years later. When I lived there, I heard about so much crime that stories like this sounded like chatter. So, after having moved and then learning about this made my heart jump. I’m so sorry that this young girl didn’t have the opportunity to live life to the full. If this man raped and killed this girl, may he have the roughest time in prison for the rest of his life!
  • @kingtryton
    He lived his life for 22 years meanwhile poor girl was found dead and in a dumpster. Glad justice is being served! 🙏🏾😇
  • @GypsyoftheSun
    Imagine thinking your sexual perversions are worth more than someone's life 😡 God bless, Minnie 🙏🏻 May she finally rest in peace and may her family see Justice done.
  • @v.a.993
    May the little girl continue to rest in peace, and may justice be served fully on her behalf.
  • @VintageVera
    The day is coming soon where there will be no such thing as a cold case.