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Mugshot of Carmen Martie. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. JOHN — A 64-year-old woman has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation after being charged with third-degree assault, use of a deadly weapon, simple assault, unlawful entry and use of a dangerous weapon.
Carmen Martie is accused of assaulting a tenant at a residence in the area of Estate Pastory. According to the victim's account as detailed in the probable cause fact sheet, at about 12:50 pm on Friday, September 10th, she exited her residence to retrieve cleaning supplies from outside. The victim said she observed Martie soaking her feet in a bucket on the porch of another residence on the premises which is attached to the one which the victim occupies. The victim said she turned away to pick up her belongings by the door of her own residence, which was ajar at the time. She said that during that time, Martie used her body to push past her and entered the apartment with an iron pipe in hand. When the victim asked the perpetrator what she was doing in her house, Martie allegedly replied, “It’s my [expletive] house!” and continued to spew obscenities while she swung the iron pipe at the victim.
The victim recounted that she ducked to avoid injury and subsequently escaped her own residence to call the police. While Martie allegedly fled the scene, police later observed the accused returning to the premises where she was subsequently arrested.
At a virtual advisement hearing on Monday, Assistant Attorney General John Barraco described Martie as a danger to the community, noting that she had been involved in disruptive behavior for months. He observed that while Martie had appeared before the courts multiple times without conviction, she has displayed escalating violence towards residents of the premises in question.
In January, Martie was arrested for allegedly threatening her domestic partner with a hammer and refusing to let him out a house they resided in.
Noting that Martie appears to be homeless and unemployed, Barraco concluded that she did not pose a flight risk. He recommended that bail be set at $10,000 and that Martie undergo a mental health evaluation as a condition of her release.
Attorney Alexia Furlow requested an unsecured bond, highlighting that the defendant is elderly and indigent. She noted that while Martie is originally from Saint Lucia, she has lived in the USVI for over 40 years and has adult children in the territory, making her unlikely to abscond.
However, Judge Carolyn Hermon- Percell expressed that while Martie is not considered a flight risk, she is becoming a danger to the community and to the victim. The Judge further noted with concern that the court has seen the defendant several times concerning the particular premises which Martie is believed to have occupied at some point. The judge revealed that while Martie has been arrested several times and had been barred from going to the property, she refused to comply.
Consequently, bail was set at $10,000 and Martie is strictly prohibited from contacting the victim or visiting her place of employment except to conduct legitimate business. The defendant must also maintain a minimum distance of 25 feet from the victim at all times and a minimum distance of 10 feet from the perimeter of the property.
As a further condition of her release, Martie must identify a suitable custodian with whom she can reside and must be evaluated by a mental health professional. She is required to follow any prescribed treatment and medication and follow up at the division of mental health.
Martie is expected to appear before the court on Friday, October 1st, 2021 where she will answer to the four charges which carry hefty fines and/or a cumulative maximum sentence of just over 21 years imprisonment.
