Retrial opens for suspect in 2022 Canvas Artistry shooting

Testimony began Monday in the second trial of Isaac Martinez over the fatal shooting of Jonathan Garza outside a Downtown Albuquerque bar in 2022. The proceeding is taking place in 2nd Judicial District Court under Judge Brett Loveless and is scheduled to run through Friday.

Prosecutors allege that Martinez, 24, fired the shots that killed Garza. They told jurors that multiple gunshots struck the 30-year-old fitness trainer in the back. The shooting occurred near the top level of a parking structure adjacent to the Canvas Artistry bar at First and Central Avenue.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Bunker presented a different version of events during opening statements. She argued that Martinez did not fire the weapon. Bunker identified Alejandro Barton, who owned the maroon Jeep SUV involved in the incident, as the person who actually shot Garza. "You will learn that Mr. Martinez did absolutely nothing," Bunker told the jury.

Barton, 26, was previously charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death. However, prosecutors dropped that specific charge after he pleaded guilty in September 2024. He was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for tampering with evidence and conspiracy.

This is Martinez's second attempt to secure a verdict in the case. A previous jury in July 2025 failed to reach a decision. That panel voted 10-2 to convict Martinez of first-degree murder, resulting in a mistrial.

The incident happened around 1:30 a.m. on February 19, 2022. Prosecutors stated that customers were leaving the bar when several fights broke out. Garza was defending his brother, who had tried to break up one of the scuffles. According to the state, Martinez stepped out of the vehicle and fired multiple gunshots as the physical altercation was subsiding.