by Patrick H. Moore
Boston is a proud city and Bostonians dearly love sports and their sports teams. Sadly, things have not been going well for them lately. In June, the New England Patriots suffered an immense blow when their star (former) tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested for allegedly murdering 27-year-old semipro football player Odin Lloyd. Prior to that, the dreadful Boston Marathon bombing occurred. And now, as a sort of piece de resistance, Jared Remy, 34, the son of popular Boston Red Sox broadcaster and former second baseman Jerry Remy, has been arrested and arraigned in Waltham District Court on charges of murder and domestic assault and battery in the Thursday night killing of Jennifer Martel, 27.
Jared Remy pleaded not guilty Friday to fatally stabbing Ms. Martel one day after he was released from custody for allegedly assaulting her.
Rodrique Ngowi of the Associated Press has the story:
Police officers responding to several 911 calls went to a Waltham apartment complex at about 10 p.m. Thursday and found Martel on an outside patio with multiple stab wounds, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said.
In court, prosecutors described a brutal and determined attack, saying Remy assaulted Martel in the kitchen, living room, on a stairway and then pinned her to the ground in the patio where he stabbed her several times. Neighbors who tried to help Martel were driven back when Remy slashed at them, Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Lisa McGovern told a judge.
Remy was arrested at the scene, his clothes soaked in the victim’s blood.
There’s an old saying that some people never learn and this would seem to be the case with Jared Remy. On Wednesday, he had been released on his own recognizance after being charged with assault and battery case in a case in which Martel was the alleged victim. Unfortunately, there was no active restraining order against him.
Based on Remy’s violent criminal history, it is not terribly surprising that things have progressed to this point. According to Waltham court records, he has been hit with 15 different criminal charges since 1998. Five of the charges were assaults – including four against women – and he was involved in at least three restraining orders, including one in which he was the plaintiff.
After being arrested for killing Martel, Remy was ordered held without bail. His attorney, Peter Bella, trying to give the case the best possible spin, stated that Remy had what could be described as defensive wounds. Bella termed Martel’s death a tragedy.
Martel’s 4-year-old child — who was unhurt — is now in the custody of state child welfare officials. According to DA Ryan, it was unclear if Remy was the child’s father.
Jared Remy’s father, Jerry Remy, is a former Red Sox second baseman who has been a color analyst on team broadcasts on the New England Sports Network (NESN) since 1988. Jerry Remy has struggled with health problems in recent years.
Jared Remy formerly worked in security for the Red Sox. He was fired by the team in 2008 following a steroid investigation.
Although the Red Sox did not immediately return a call requesting they comment on the situation, NESN released a two-sentence statement lamenting the tragedy.
“All of us at NESN and the Red Sox, along with Jerry Remy, are filled with grief for everyone involved, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Jennifer Martel.”
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Wow! Although I have no explanation for why this is happening, there is no doubt that the Boston sporting world has had more than its fair share of misfortune lately. The Boston Marathon bombing, the Aaron Hernandez murder case and now this. At least no one connected to the Boston Celtics has murdered anyone recently, although Danny Ainge did trade future Hall-of-Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets.
Click here for to view All Things Crime Blog’s posts on the Aaron Hernandez case:
Aaron Hernandez’ Fiancee Believed to Have Dumped Odin Lloyd Murder Weapon: The Plot Thickens
Aaron Hernandez Bombshell: Filmed with Murder Weapon by His Own Surveillance Cameras
Aaron Hernandez Serial Killer Case Strengthens as Grand Jury Hears Evidence of 2012 Double Murder
Eat Your Heart Out Aaron Hernandez: D.A. Will Cut Deal to Deliver You Up on a Platter
Aaron Hernandez Arrested for Murder: Bill Belichick Drops Him Like a Hot Potato
Eat Your Heart Out, Bill Belichick: Patriots Tight End Aaron Hernandez Wanted in Murder Probe