‘Dangerous recidivist’ — Atlantic City, NJ, Man Sentenced For 2020 Murder

An Atlantic City man will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for killing a woman in 2020.

On Friday, 72-year-old Maximo Santiago was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of 32-year-old Marketa Thorpe.

The 40-year sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning Santiago must serve 85%, or 34 years, before becoming eligible for parole. He would be about 106 years old at that time.

He was also sentenced to a term of five years in prison for a weapons charge.

Guilty

Back in March, a jury found Santiago guilty of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and certain person not to possess a weapon, after a week-long trial.

Timeline

Following an argument on September 12th, 2020, Santiago shot and killed Thorpe with a rifle on the 1500 block Belfield Avenue in Atlantic City.

Authorities say Santiago and Thorpe had been involved in a relationship and had known each other for many years.

In reporting from The Courier Post from the day after the killing, Santiago told police he and Thorpe were arguing on his front porch around 11:15 AM when she allegedly tried to hit him with "a metal object" and a broomstick. He responded by retrieving a rifle and shooting her.

Santiago was arrested after trying to leave the scene in his vehicle.

'Dangerous recidivist'

During Friday's sentencing, the Court noted that Santiago is a dangerous recidivist who has committed violent crimes against women.

This case was investigated by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and the Atlantic City Police Department.