An Abbeville, South Carolina man has been charged with murder in connection with a domestic violence incident that took place last Friday.
Robert Kenneth Martin, 26, of Calhoun Falls, S.C. was arrested by agents of the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and charged with one count of murder and one count of possessing a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Martin had previously been charged with second degree domestic violence in connection with the incident.
What happened?
According to our law enforcement sources, Martin got into an argument with his wife last Friday. A probable cause affidavit accompanying a warrant for his arrest alleged that he grabbed his wife by the arm during this argument, “causing bruises on her upper arm.” He also allegedly “placed his hands around her neck causing scratches and redness.”
A female tenant at the home – Jessica Yvonne Elkhorn – reportedly witnessed the incident and confronted Martin, resulting in a subsequent altercation between the two of them. It is not clear exactly what transpired during this altercation, but the result was a gruesome end for Elkhorn.
According to the probable cause affidavit for Martin’s arrest on the murder rap, he did “with malice aforethought, cause (her) death … by cutting her neck with a knife.”
Here is the news release from SLED and the accompanying warrants related to the latest charges against Martin …
(Via: SLED)
As with anyone accused of committing any crime, Martin is presumed innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system – or until such time as he may wish to enter a plea related to any of the charges that have been filed against him.
The charges against Martin will be prosecuted by the office of S.C. eighth circuit solicitor David Stumbo. SLED investigated the case at the request of the Calhoun Falls police department, which has a standing agreement with the statewide agency.
Martin was booked at the Abbeville County detention center where he remains held without bond.
-FITSNews
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(VIA: GETTY IMAGES)