By Marlyn Montilla
27 Jul 2024, 11:32 AM EDT
A St. Albans man was charged Friday with aggravated murder in the death of a Hispanic woman from Enosburgh, Vermont, at her home.
Identified as Darren Martell, 23, he appeared at St. Albans Court and pleaded not guilty to the brutal death of 82-year-old Roberta Martin.
“This is a terrible tragedy for our community,” said Franklin County State’s Attorney Bram Kranichfeld.
It’s been just over a week since the elderly woman’s body was found nearly a mile from her home in Enosburgh, Vermont. Prosecutors say Martell is responsible for her death.
Family and close friends of the victim were emotional in court as the defendant appeared in person to answer charges of aggravated murder.
“My office, the Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office, is committed to holding the perpetrator of this act accountable and bringing him to justice,” Kranichfeld said.
Authorities say Martell had been living in a mobile home next to Martin’s home when he broke into it, sexually assaulted her, killed her and dumped her body in the woods, then attempted to dispose of her remains by setting them on fire.
Detectives were able to collect Martell’s DNA from the woman’s body, linking him to the disturbing crime, CBS News affiliate WCAX 3 reported.
“The fact that this activity occurred simultaneously with the discovery of her remains and her disappearance allows the court to infer that he was also responsible for killing her,” Kranichfeld said.
The affidavit points to a police interview with Martell’s girlfriend, where she confessed that he was an abusive man. Others also told officers they believed Martell was “certainly capable of killing someone.”
Police also reiterated that Martell has a criminal record. The affidavit says the criminal has been called “psychotic” and shows he has a history of torturing animals, including allegedly strangling a canine to death, so state police said they are aware of his violent past.
Investigators say they found other evidence at the scene and their investigation uncovered evidence that needs to be prosecuted.
“We still have evidence that needs to be processed. We’re still working with the medical examiner’s office, any other outstanding search warrants that we have out there … a lot of it is stuff that takes time,” said Vermont State Police Maj. Dan Trudeau.
If convicted, the defendant could face a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is due back in court next week.
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