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| Prosecutors want to try Martin first in Brewer case |
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12/2/2016
By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
Prosecutors announced last week that they want to try Natasha Martin first for the alleged murder of Paul Brewer.
Martin is currently scheduled to go on trial next July with co-defendant Nickie Miller, but the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office informed a judge that they want to try the couple separately.
At a status hearing Nov. 22, Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Keith Craycraft told Circuit Judge William “Bill” Lane that he plans to file a motion seeking to sever the cases.
Craycraft told the judge that prosecutors would like to try Martin first because they believe they have a stronger case against her.
Lane asked Craycraft to file his motion so that it can be considered at a Dec. 20 status hearing.
Martin’s attorney, Alex Rowady of Winchester, asked the judge to consider a bond reduction for his client in light of the recent dismissal of the Commonwealth’s case against another former co-defendant, Cody Hall.
The case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning it can be reinstated at some point.
Rowady asked the judge to lower bond to $25,000, though $50,000 would be acceptable. He claims the judge that the case against Martin is not as strong as the Commonwealth indicates and questioned the accuracy of a DNA test that reportedly links Martin to the crime.
Craycraft said that there is no reason to revisit the decision the judge made after several months of testimony during a bond hearing. He asserts the $2 million bond was appropriate.
Craycraft noted that there has been no change in Martin’s circumstances since the bond hearing in which the judge maintained the same bond.
Martin allegedly confessed to her participation in the robbery and murder of Brewer, but later recanted.
Lane ultimately decided to reduce her bond to $1 million at 25 percent, or $250,000.
A staff member at the Montgomery County Regional Jail had previously told the Advocate that Martin’s bond was $200,000 or 10 percent of the $2 million bond.
The judge previously reduced bond for Miller from $2 million to $500,000 at 10 percent, or $50,000.
Liz Barry, Brewer’s sister, told the Advocate that her family was shocked by the bond reduction and doesn’t want her brother’s alleged murderer walking the same streets. Both Miller and Barry reside in Stanton.
Both Miller and Martin remain in custody at the Montgomery County Regional Jail.
Authorities allege that Martin and another woman were invited into Brewer’s home on Natalie Drive and radioed for Miller and Hall to come inside and rob Brewer, who had reportedly come into some money.
During the course of the robbery, Miller and Hall reportedly shot Brewer.
Authorities are still trying to positively identify the woman who was with Martin the night of the slaying.
Brewer, 52, was killed in December 2011. Martin, Hall and Miller were all arrested in November 2015.
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