LAS VEGAS (WordNews.org) July 14, 2012  —  Arturo Martinez-Sanchez says forgiveness is not a choice.

“I am instructed to forgive first,” Martinez-Sanchez said.

The words came slowly and sincerely from a man whose wife and 10-year-old daughter were raped and murdered in a random home invasion on April 15.

Citing his Christian faith, a Las Vegas, Nevada, man nearly beaten to death in a brutal, random home invasion. The hammer-wielding attacker killed his beloved wife, Yadira Martinez, and 10-year old daughter, Karla.

Martinez-Sanchez, 39, said in a news conference at his newly re-opened North Las Vegas boxing gym that his Christian beliefs made it possible to forgive the killer. Martinez-Sanchez reopened the Real KO Boxing Club today, the day his daughter would have turned 11. He and his family opened the gym in April 2011.

After attacking Martinez-Sanchez, the alleged killer, Bryan Clay, 22, is accused of turning to Yadira Martinez, 38, and daughter Karla, raping both and bludgeoning them to death with the same claw hammer that left Martinez-Sanchez semi-comatose and unable to speak.

“As a believer in Christ, I know that God forgives all the sins of those who have faith in Him. In this, I am instructed to forgive first. Knowing that God will forgive murderers if there is true repentance, Bryan Clay will stand in judgment before Him. It is my prayer that my wife Yadira and my daughter Karla are in Heaven waiting for my sons and me to arrive to spend eternity with them. In fact, I know this is true,” said Martinez-Sanchez.

Sons Christopher Martinez, 10, and Alejandro Martinez, 5, sat next to their father at the press conference, rubbing his back as he tearfully read his statement. Following the April 15 attack, having spent a full day in the blood splattered house, Christopher walked to his elementary school and informed teachers and administrators of the horrible scene at his home.

Martinez-Sanchez said he expects the killer to pay for his crimes here on a earth.

“He will be punished for what he has done to my family. He must face justice and whatever penalty the judge hands down, including death, if that is how he is sentenced,” said Martinez-Sanchez.

An audience of about 75 supporters, dignitaries and media gasped when he opened his statement with the phrase, “I forgive this murderer because of my faith in God and in Jesus Christ.” Later, when asked by a reporter what he would say to Clay if he could, Martinez-Sanchez replied, “I would say, ‘I forgive you.’ If he kissed me on the cheek, I would kiss him back.”