A Nashville man has admitted guilt in the 2024 hit-and-run that killed Smokin' Thighs owner Matthew Carney, closing a case that stunned the Wedgewood-Houston restaurant community. On Wednesday, Ulises Martinez pleaded guilty and agreed to a 20-year prison sentence with no early parole, prosecutors said, and he is expected to be deported after serving his time.
According to WSMV, citing the District Attorney General’s Office, Martinez entered guilty pleas to second-degree murder, tampering with evidence and two theft counts. The 20-year term for the murder conviction will control, with the remaining counts running at the same time. The DA’s office told the station the plea deal explicitly rules out early-release parole.
How Prosecutors Say The Crash Happened
In a news release, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said investigators believe Martinez and an associate stopped at Smokin' Thighs on June 19, 2024, to steal tools from the owner’s pickup truck. When Carney confronted the vehicle, he was thrown onto the hood as it pulled away and turned onto Wedgewood Avenue, according to the department.
Carney died from his injuries on July 4, 2024, MNPD said. Detectives reported that Martinez later admitted details of the confrontation during an interview at police headquarters. The department also said a second man, identified as Adrian Diaz, was held on related charges during the investigation, with those specifics outlined in the MNPD release.
Sentence And Immigration Outcome
The District Attorney’s office told WSMV that Martinez is in the U.S. illegally and will be deported by federal immigration authorities after he serves his full 20-year sentence. Prosecutors said the plea avoids a lengthy trial while still guaranteeing that Martinez will remain behind bars for decades, according to the station.
What Second-Degree Murder Means In Tennessee
Under Tennessee law, second-degree murder is a Class A felony defined as a knowing killing. It sits in the state’s most serious felony category and carries the potential for multi-decade prison terms, depending on a defendant’s criminal history and other sentencing factors.
The statute and sentencing framework spell out those penalties in detail. See Tennessee Code § 39-13-210 on Justia for the full text.
Local Fallout
Months after Carney’s death, Smokin' Thighs announced it would close, a decision local coverage linked directly to the tragedy and the family’s loss. An October 2024 story from Hoodline captured emotional statements from Carney’s relatives and neighbors about the blow to the Wedgewood-Houston community and what the closing meant for regulars who considered the spot a neighborhood fixture. End of an era for Smokin' Thighs.
Court Records And Next Steps
Davidson County court records list Martinez under OCA number 624024 and show multiple related case entries, including the 2024 indictment connected to Carney’s death. The Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk’s online case search is expected to be updated with the formal sentencing and disposition paperwork now that the plea has been entered. Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk.
