GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — A former Northampton man has been sentenced to five to ten years in state prison for a hate crime where he and another individual attacked two people at a Sunderland liquor store last year, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Warren Martinez, 31, changed his plea to guilty before jury selection could begin for the trial.

Serious injuries were inflicted by Martinez and 25 year-old Thomas Patnode on a liquor store employee and her fiancé before the men were arrested.

From the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office:

Two men sentenced after admitting to role in 2024 hate crime

GREENFIELD – A judge today sentenced a former Northampton man to 5-10 years in state prison for his lead role in a hate crime in which he and a companion attacked two people at a Sunderland liquor store last year. The second defendant was sentenced to a House of Correction term after his guilty plea.

The defendants had been scheduled for a jury trial today but elected to change their pleas to guilty prior to jury selection.

Warren Martinez, 31, pleaded guilty before Franklin Superior Court Judge John Agostini to mayhem, two counts of assault and battery to intimidate based on gender identity and sexual orientation causing injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and breaking and entering a building in the nighttime. Subsequent to the change of plea, Judge Agostini handed down the state prison sentence.

Also pleading guilty was Thomas Patnode, 25, who admitted to two counts of assault and battery to intimidate based on gender identity and sexual orientation causing injury and assault by means of a dangerous weapon. Judge Agostini sentenced him to 2 1/2 years in the House of Correction and 1 year of probation concurrently, during which he must undergo substance abuse treatment and diversity awareness training while incarcerated. He must stay away from the victims.

The men were arrested after they assaulted a store employee and her fiancé at the store when the employee refused to sell them alcohol on July 16, 2024. Both the employee and her fiancé are transgender and the defendants used a homophobic slur during the attack. Martinez physically attacked both individuals with repeated punches, kicks, and the use of a pointed plastic bottle. Patnode assisted Martinez, brandishing a knife and threatening the two victims. Both were seriously injured.

In court Monday, both victims described the significant impact of the physical assault on their lives. They spoke about the trauma caused by the attack and the inability to now feel safe in public. Both expressed their strong desire that no other person have to endure an attack of this nature and the resulting impact on every aspect of their lives.

Northwestern Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Suhl prosecuted the case. Defense attorney Isaac Mass represented Martinez and attorney Grace Edwards represented Patnode.