close
close
hsuses

Suspect abused victim of sexual murder of Roberta Martin, court documents say

Theo

Court documents have revealed chilling new details in the murder case of a woman who disappeared in Enosburgh earlier this month. Darren Martell pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder charge in Franklin County Court on Friday after police say he killed and sexually assaulted 82-year-old Roberta Martin last week. Roberta Martin’s daughter told authorities she spoke to her mother several times a day, so she asked her neighbors to check on her when she couldn’t reach her on the morning of July 17. When Vermont State Police conducted a welfare check, they found clear signs of a break-in at Martin’s Enosburg home, according to court documents, making her disappearance suspicious and sparking a days-long search. “This is a terrible tragedy for our community, and my thoughts are with Ms. Martin’s family, her daughters, her friends and her neighbors,” said Franklin County Prosecutor Bram W. Kranichfeld. Court documents showed Martell has a violent past and has been the subject of other state investigations for mistreating his partner. The affidavit also said Martell has been described by those who know him as “psychotic” and “certainly capable of killing someone.” The documents show he has a history of torturing animals, including allegedly strangling a dog nearly to death, and state police said they were somewhat aware of his past. Court documents added that Martell wanted his partner’s grandmother to cover for him, asking if she would lie to police and provide an alibi for the time Martin disappeared. Then Martell’s partner’s sister called VSP and said she thought he might be a suspect. Police said after speaking with others in the area, they found Martin’s remains less than a mile down the road from her home on Butternut Hollow Road and that her body had been buried and burned. If found guilty, Martell faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is in police custody and his bail hearing is scheduled for next week.

SAINT ALBANS CITY, Vermont —

Court documents have revealed shocking new details in the murder of a woman who disappeared in Enosburgh earlier this month.

Darren Martell pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder charges in Franklin County Court on Friday after police say he killed and sexually assaulted 82-year-old Roberta Martin last week.

Roberta Martin’s daughter told authorities she spoke to her mother several times a day, so when she couldn’t reach her mother on the morning of July 17, she asked her neighbors to check on her.

According to court documents, a welfare check by the Vermont State Police found clear signs of a break-in at Martin’s Enosburg home, which raised suspicions about her disappearance and led to a search that lasted several days.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our community and my thoughts are with Ms. Martin’s family, her daughters, her friends and her neighbors,” said Franklin County Prosecutor Bram W. Kranichfeld.

Court documents show that Martell has been the victim of severe abuse in the past and has also been the subject of further government investigations for the abuse of his partner.

The affidavit also said Martell has been described by those who know him as “psychotic” and “certainly capable of killing someone.” The documents show he has a history of torturing animals, including allegedly strangling a dog nearly to death, and state police said they have some knowledge of his past.

Court documents further state that Martell sought cover from his partner’s grandmother, asking her to lie to police and provide an alibi for the time of Martin’s disappearance. Martell’s partner’s sister then called VSP and said she thought he might be a suspect.

Police said after speaking with others in the area, they found Martin’s remains less than a mile down the road from her home on Butternut Hollow Road and her body had been buried and burned.

If found guilty, Martell faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is in police custody and will have a bail hearing next week.

Related Posts