Clarence Martin Jr., 37, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after being convicted of throwing his nearly two-month-old daughter, London, to her death from an apartment balcony in October 2020. Martin was found guilty of murder, child abuse, and animal cruelty in connection with the tragic incident, according to KLAS.
District Judge Carli Kierny, during the sentencing, expressed her shock at the crime, stating, “I don’t say this lightly — this is the worst case I’ve ever seen. It boggles my mind,” as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The incident occurred during an argument between Martin and his fiancée, London’s mother. Police reported that London fell more than 22 feet to the pavement below after being allegedly thrown from the balcony. Officers arrived at the scene and found London’s mother performing CPR on the infant. Tragically, London was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

In addition to the heartbreaking loss of the child, investigators said that Martin set a fire before leaving the scene. The blaze caused damage to their apartment, and it also led to the death of the family’s dog.
Martin was arrested shortly after the incident near Harry Reid International Airport. He was found wearing a TSA Security shirt and had made his way onto the tarmac. Authorities took him into custody, and it was later revealed that he had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, as noted in court records.
During the sentencing hearing, Martin’s defense attorney claimed that he had “very little memory” of the incident and “thought he was in a movie.” His attorney, Betsy Allen, further explained the situation, saying, “That’s how delusional he was at the time of this crime,” highlighting the mental health struggles Martin faced at the time.
This case has been met with shock and disbelief from the community, with many struggling to comprehend the extent of the crime. The emotional toll it has taken on those involved is clear, with Judge Kierny’s words resonating as a reminder of the devastating impact this tragedy has had on the family and society.