SHIRLEY, NY - A man in his forties was beaten to death by multiple people after his ex-girlfriend allegedly orchestrated the assault. Three people have been identified and charged in the incident, according to authorities.
Melissa Fawcett, 50, Korey Sammarco, 36, and Benjamin Sheppard, 34, were indicted on second-degree murder and gang assault a few weeks after 48-year-old Christopher Martin was allegedly beaten to death, Law & Crime reported. A press release from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office states that the three defendants went to the home, where the victim had been renting a room, on June 14 around 7:00 p.m.
Sammarco allegedly kicked down the door to Martin's bedroom and hit him in the head with a sledgehammer. Sammarco and the victim, who were friends and roommates, had allegedly been arguing in the weeks prior, according to prosecutors. Martin had also reportedly just broken up with Fawcett, who was also unhappy with the victim.
The sledgehammer, prosecutors said, was just the beginning of the 30-minute beating. During a July 1 hearing, prosecutors said that Fawcett was the mastermind behind the horrific attack on Martin. Assistant District Attorney Sheetal Shetty told the court that after Martin ended his relationship with Fawcett, she tried to rekindle the romance by bringing him gifts.
The day before the alleged attack, she showed up at Martin's house again, but was not allowed inside. Prosecutors said that Fawcett bought a gun that she intended to use to scare Martin. Shetty told the court, "She, our investigation revealed, is actually the individuals who set this entire event up."
Prosecutors said that Sammarco was also at the house to retrieve his belongings and was accompanied by a police escort. A neighbor said that Sammarco had been "kicked out" of the house.
According to the district attorney, Sammarco allegedly admitted to beating Martin with a sledgehammer as well as a television set. He also allegedly beat Martin with his fists. Fawcett allegedly joined the fight, telling police that she took "a couple of shots at him" during the 30-minute ordeal.
Sammarco told police during his confession that four others, including Sheppard, were allegedly involved in the beating, which he said included assaults with a baseball bat and dumbbells.
Fawcett allegedly smashed Martin's phone outside in the street so he could not call for help. Martin was reportedly found by another resident of the house, who called 911 to report the fight. Martin was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead. He had suffered severe facial trauma, broken ribs, a liver laceration, and abdominal bleeding.
Sammarco and Fawcett were arrested on June 15; Sheppard was arrested on June 20. All three defendants are being held without bail. Sammarco and Fawcett are due back in court on August 6 and Sheppard's next court date is August 10.
Melissa Fawcett, 50, Korey Sammarco, 36, and Benjamin Sheppard, 34, were indicted on second-degree murder and gang assault a few weeks after 48-year-old Christopher Martin was allegedly beaten to death, Law & Crime reported. A press release from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office states that the three defendants went to the home, where the victim had been renting a room, on June 14 around 7:00 p.m.
Sammarco allegedly kicked down the door to Martin's bedroom and hit him in the head with a sledgehammer. Sammarco and the victim, who were friends and roommates, had allegedly been arguing in the weeks prior, according to prosecutors. Martin had also reportedly just broken up with Fawcett, who was also unhappy with the victim.
The sledgehammer, prosecutors said, was just the beginning of the 30-minute beating. During a July 1 hearing, prosecutors said that Fawcett was the mastermind behind the horrific attack on Martin. Assistant District Attorney Sheetal Shetty told the court that after Martin ended his relationship with Fawcett, she tried to rekindle the romance by bringing him gifts.
The day before the alleged attack, she showed up at Martin's house again, but was not allowed inside. Prosecutors said that Fawcett bought a gun that she intended to use to scare Martin. Shetty told the court, "She, our investigation revealed, is actually the individuals who set this entire event up."
Prosecutors said that Sammarco was also at the house to retrieve his belongings and was accompanied by a police escort. A neighbor said that Sammarco had been "kicked out" of the house.
According to the district attorney, Sammarco allegedly admitted to beating Martin with a sledgehammer as well as a television set. He also allegedly beat Martin with his fists. Fawcett allegedly joined the fight, telling police that she took "a couple of shots at him" during the 30-minute ordeal.
Sammarco told police during his confession that four others, including Sheppard, were allegedly involved in the beating, which he said included assaults with a baseball bat and dumbbells.
Fawcett allegedly smashed Martin's phone outside in the street so he could not call for help. Martin was reportedly found by another resident of the house, who called 911 to report the fight. Martin was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead. He had suffered severe facial trauma, broken ribs, a liver laceration, and abdominal bleeding.
Sammarco and Fawcett were arrested on June 15; Sheppard was arrested on June 20. All three defendants are being held without bail. Sammarco and Fawcett are due back in court on August 6 and Sheppard's next court date is August 10.
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