Camden duo who killed man as lesson to debtors get life

Two Camden men found guilty in March of murder have been sentenced to life in prison, officials said yesterday. The killing was meant to show others who owed them money that they had better pay up, prosecutors said.

According to court testimony, Lamar Alford, 26, conspired with Ziair T. McDaniels, 26, to rob and kill Salvador Martinez, who owed Alford money. On May 22, 2005, the men found Martinez, 20, near 31st Street and Rosedale Avenue. McDaniels shot Martinez in the chest. As Martinez lay dying, Alford and McDaniels rifled through his pockets and stole a roll of cash. Police found Martinez and rushed him to the hospital, where he died a short time later, said Joshua Ottenberg, the acting Camden County prosecutor.

On Friday, Alford and McDaniels were sentenced in Superior Court to life for the slaying; each also must serve a consecutive 10 years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. They each must serve about 68 years before becoming eligible for parole.

"These lengthy sentences send a strong message that this type of street violence will not be tolerated," Ottenberg said. "I commend all the law-enforcement professionals involved in the investigation and prosecution of this cold-blooded crime. The result of their diligence and skill is that two dangerous men are off the street for a long, long time." - Sam Wood