Remy Pleads Guilty To First Degree Murder For Death of Jennifer Martel

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced today that Jared Remy has pleaded guilty to the first degree murder of his girlfriend Jennifer Martel on August 15, 2013 in Waltham.
 
Remy, 35, of Waltham, pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court to one indictment charging him with murder in the first degree and another charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon (a knife).  The second indictment relates to Remy’s assault of a neighbor who attempted to come to Jennifer Martel’s aid during Remy’s attack on August 15, 2013.   Remy also pleaded guilty to indictments charging him with assault and battery and violating a restraining order, for his conduct against Martel on August 13, 2013 in Waltham. 
 
Middlesex Superior Court Judge Kathe Tuttman sentenced the defendant to a term of life in state prison without the possibility of parole on the murder charge, and concurrent sentences of 5-5 years and one day in state prison and 2 1/2 years in the house of correction on the remaining charges.  The Court determined that two other charges, of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery, were merged with the substantive murder charge and thus dismissed by the Court.

This plea does not impact the complaints against the defendant in the Cambridge District Court for an alleged incident that occurred in the Cambridge jail while Remy was being held in custody on the murder charge.
  
“Jared Remy perceived that he was losing control of Jennifer Martel and lashed out at her in a fit of rage, killing her,” District Attorney Ryan said.  “Today, with this plea, the defendant has been held accountable for his actions.  This plea ensures that Jared Remy will spend the rest of his natural life in prison.”  

“Jennifer’s death is a terrible tragedy.  The Martel family is in our thoughts and prayers.  While nothing can fill the void created by this terrible loss, we hope this resolution of the criminal case will bring Jennifer’s family, and all who knew and loved her, some measure of peace and healing.”

“I am pleased the case has been resolved quickly,” said Waltham Police Chief Keith MacPherson.  “I hope this resolution will bring some comfort to the Martel family.”

The prosecutors who handled this case are Assistant District Attorney Lisa McGovern and Assistant District Attorney Michael Kaneb.  The Victim Witness Advocate is Danielle DeMeo.

The District Attorney will be issuing an additional statement this afternoon in connection with the independent external review conducted in the aftermath of Jennifer Martel’s murder.