Convicted Murderer Retrial

Martin Elvis Gomez, 31 is scheduled for a retrial later this month for the May 10, 2007 killing of Joseph N. Salamie. No motive was specified, but Salamie was Gomez’s landlord. Salamie was murdered in his home in Peotone Township. Peotone Township is located in Will County and well-known for hosting the Will County Fair for more than 100 years.

Gomez was convicted of stabbing Salamie 111 times, slitting his throat, and stealing $1,200 from his home in 2011. An appellate court found that Gomez was not properly informed about representing himself and ordered a retrial. Gomez has informed the court that he will be representing himself in his retrial.

Gomez is also serving a separate 19-year prison sentence for attempting to hire a gang member to kill an ex-girlfriend that testified against him. The witness testified Gomez was “covered in blood” and that she was with him when he spent the blood-covered money that he had taken from Salamie.

Will County Assistant Public Defender Jason Strzelecki have been assigned to observe the case if Gomez changes his mind about representing himself. Gomez expressed Tuesday that he has no intentions on getting an attorney.