Jury Convicted Providence Man of First-Degree Murder
A jury found Karel Martinez-Scarlet guilty of murdering Keshaudas Spence during a 2021 shooting in Pawtucket.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Violence
A jury has convicted 31-year-old Karel Martinez-Scarlet of first-degree murder for the death of Keshaudas Spence. The verdict followed a month-long trial regarding the 2021 shooting on Winthrop Avenue in Pawtucket.
Why it matters
The conviction brings legal closure to a 2021 homicide case where evidence included surveillance footage and cellphone records. Prosecutors successfully linked the defendant to the scene where the victim was fatally shot.
A jury at the Providence County Superior Court found the defendant guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, discharging a firearm, and carrying an unlicensed pistol. The verdict followed a trial spanning one month.
The players
Karel Martinez-Scarlet
He is a 31-year-old man from Providence who was found guilty of first-degree murder.
Keshaudas Spence
The 29-year-old victim died from a gunshot wound to the head during the 2021 incident.
The details
Keshaudas Spence was found in a black Acura on Winthrop Avenue with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Surveillance video captured Martinez-Scarlet firing at the vehicle before he fled the scene in another car.
Timeline
The shooting occurred at approximately 2 a.m. on June 26, 2021.
Police arrested Karel Martinez-Scarlet on August 6, 2021.
A jury returned the guilty verdict on October 6, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows the established evidentiary standards required by the Providence County Superior Court criminal trial procedures for securing murder convictions. The use of digital forensics and video surveillance has become a standard requirement in modern homicide prosecutions.
The conclusion of this trial provides closure to a violent incident that occurred within a Pawtucket neighborhood. Residents can view the verdict as a final step in the local justice process regarding the 2021 shooting.
The takeaway
The successful prosecution highlights the critical role of surveillance and digital tracking in solving cold-case-style violent crimes. Jurors relied on combined physical and technical evidence to secure the guilty verdict.
Further reading
For more information on local criminal proceedings, visit Violence.
