Vermont Man, 23, Accused of Sexually Assault, Murder & Burning of 82-12 months-Earlier Woman: Authorities

Darren Martell was hit with an aggravated murder value inside the demise of Enosburgh resident Roberta Martin, whereas he was in custody on the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans.

Per Vermont State Police, authorities wished to speak with Martell about Martin’s demise after they seen him “in a wooded house” near a neighborhood school and “seen him masturbating alongside the sting of a public strolling path.” He allegedly “ran into the woods” as detectives approached him, sooner than the varsity went into lockdown and he was located a short time later.

He was initially charged with lewd and lascivious conduct, sooner than the aggravated murder value was added Thursday. Martell pleaded not accountable to murder on Friday.

State Police began their investigation into Martin’s demise earlier this month, after the sufferer’s daughter requested for a welfare confirm when she couldn’t attain her mother on July 17, according to courtroom docs thought of by My NBC 5. Cops reportedly found duct tape on the mattress room floor, “dolly cart” tracks foremost off the property and totally different “irregular” indicators inside the dwelling.

Per VT Digger, citing an arrest affidavit, police later found human stays which “seemed to be burned” whereas following up on a tip from an acquaintance of Martell — who was reportedly residing in a camper on a close-by property. Checks confirmed the stays belonged to Martin, whereas a sperm sample from the physique allegedly acquired right here up as a match for Martell.

Throughout the docs, Deputy State Lawyer Diane Wheeler alleged that Martell “on or about July 17, 2024, was then and there a person who murdered one different human being whereas perpetrating sexual assault, to wit: unlawfully killed Roberta Martin.”

A public defender representing Martell on Friday reportedly acknowledged in courtroom, “Whereas there’s a attainable set off for a sexual act primarily based totally on the DNA, all through the 4 corners of the affidavit there is no such thing as a proof of non-consensual intercourse.” The select, however, nonetheless felt there was enough data provided to assist the aggravated murder value.

The affidavit moreover claimed people who know Martell referred to him as “psychotic” and “for optimistic capable of killing any individual.” He moreover allegedly has a historic previous of torturing animals … and requested his companion’s grandmother to supply him an alibi if wished. It was his companion’s sister who reportedly often called Vermont State Police, believing he is perhaps a person of curiosity.

A standing conference has been set for September 4.