Arroyo Grande man pleads not guilty to murder in beating death
A defendant charged with the alleged bludgeoning murder of a Grover Beach man in a local strip mall made his second court appearance Thursday, entering a plea of not guilty for the killing of Andres Martinez.
Nicholas Sage Coronado-Watermen had first been arraigned in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on March 26 but hadn’t entered a plea as the court searched for a public defender to represent him.
But Thursday, he pleaded not guilty to a single charge of murder and denied a sentencing enhancement for the alleged use of a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime.
Coronado-Watermen was also appointed an attorney. Scott Taylor said Thursday afternoon following the hearing that he had yet to be provided any discovery, only a list of potential witnesses to ensure he does have any conflict in the case.
Taylor said he is familiar with information released through the media, but will reserve comment as he awaits police reports.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Coronado-Watermen will face a minimum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.
He’s due back in court April 15.
The 25-year-old was formally charged by the county District Attorney’s Office on March 25 for the killing of Andres Martinez, 37, of Grover Beach.
The attack allegedly occurred early on the morning of March 23 in a strip mall parking lot near the corner of Grand Avenue and Oak Park Boulevard in Grover Beach.
Martinez died as a result of blunt force trauma, according to Grover Beach Police Chief John Peters.
Peters said Coronado-Waterman and Martinez knew each other.
After the criminal charge was filed, county District Attorney Dan Dow said the “shocking murder was inflicted by vicious beating, kicking, and using rocks to repeatedly hit the victim’s head.”
Coronado-Watermen was being held in San Luis Obispo County Jail custody without bail.
