The Murder of Julie Martin
Sorry guys, my work schedule has been super crazy this week. But, for this case I watched an episode of Snapped. It’s season 25 episode 19.
A 52-year-old mother is found dead in her bedroom.
Background
Julie was born in 1964, in Rochester, New York. Julie had a talent for doing hair, and dreamed of one day becoming a hairdresser. But, in her 20’s, Julie started working at a Xerox factory in Ontario, New York, and loved it.
By the time she was in her 30’s, Julie felt like something was missing in her life. She soon fell in loved with a man named Frederick Harlee. The two dated on and off for years, and had a daughter, Jasmine, in June 1995.
The couple eventually broke up for good. Julie spent as much as she could with Jasmine, and spoiled her. Julie was described as very kind, caring, and hardworking.
Julie Martin with her best friend, Jay
The New Boyfriend
In 2013, after Jasmine graduated high school, she and Julie moved into a mobile home in Ontario, to be closer to Xerox.
In 2015, Jasmine was 19, when she met Knowledge Couser, also 19. Knowledge had moved from home to home growing up, and had many siblings and half-siblings. Jasmine eventually moved in with Knowledge, which affected Julie.
By 2016, Jasmine, who had once worked at Walmart, lost her job. Jasmine asked Julie if she and Knowledge could move in with her. Julie said yes, but it turned out to not be a great situation.
The 911 Call
On February 1, 2017, Jasmine and Knowledge called 911 around 10pm. They said they returned home, and found Julie on the floor of her bedroom. The dispatcher walked Knowledge through CPR, while Jasmine cried in the background.
The police arrived just a few minutes later. When they walked inside, they found Julie’s bedroom in complete disarray. Julie had fallen out of her chair. There was food all over the floor, a table, and nightstand had been knocked over. There were also pill bottles and pills all over the floor.
The police learned from Julie’s friends and neighbors that Julie did have health issues, but was close to retirement. The police did looked into whether or not Julie had a heart attack, or overdosed, but these theories were ruled out.
There weren’t any signs of forced entry, or of a violent struggle. Julie didn’t have any markings around her neck, and she didn’t have any defensive wounds.
The Alibi
The police separated Jasmine and Knowledge. While they were speaking to Knowledge, he told them that there was a pillow in Julie’s bedroom that had food on it. The police wondered if Julie could’ve been smothered, as it left no trace, or very little injuries.
Jasmine and Knowledge told the police that they had left the house a little before 7pm. They drove to Rochester, to sell a cellphone to someone they had met on Craigslist. They said they returned home around 9:45pm, and found Julie dead.
The police spoke to several neighbors who had gathered around the home. Several neighbors said they had seen two unknown males walking around the mobile home park. The two males said they had gotten lost and needed directions to a nearby church. (More on that soon).
Less than a week after Julie’s death, her cause of death was ruled unknown pending further investigation. The medical examiner did find that Julie did have some clogging to her heart, but was able to rule out a heart attack as the cause of death.
A Tumultuous Home
On February 4, one of Julie’s friends, Charlene Garnier, called the police.
Charlene said that the tension between Jasmine and Julie began once Knowledge came into the picture. She said Knowledge was very controlling, and wouldn’t let Jasmine do anything without his permission.
Charlene said that Julie and Knowledge would get into arguments. Julie had shown Charlene a text message that Knowledge had sent her. He called her a fat pig, and said that he wanted to watch her die a slow painful death.
Jasmine always defended Knowledge, which caused more tension between the once close mother and daughter.
The police looked into Jasmine and Knowledge’s alibi. They weren’t able to find any postings for a cellphone on Craigslist.
In the days after Julie’s death, Jasmine and Knowledge were seen throwing items out of the home. Jasmine sold the home for $100,000. They used the money to stay in hotels, and completely blew through it. Jasmine also contacted the police on the status of the case, and asked about her mom’s $300,000 life insurance policy.
The Recording
In April 2017, the case stalled for a few months. The lead investigator, Matthew Hilkert, had suffered an injury. The other detectives were continuing to interview neighbors, friends and family of Julie.
When the police asked Knowledge and Jasmine to come in for an interview, Knowledge would shut it down.
When detective Hilkert returned, he used the life insurance policy as bait. On June 20, 2017, Jasmine, Knowledge, and his grandmother went to the police station.
They were also asked to take a voice stress test. Knowledge refused, and became very angry and aggressive. Jasmine agreed. Her test showed signs of deceit. When Jasmine was confronted, she said she was done with the interview, and said “you’re not going to catch me in a lie.”
Knowledge’s grandma walked back into the police station, and told them that she had a recording of Jasmine and Knowledge. She said she had overheard them talking about being involved in the murder, and decided to record them. She said she didn’t have a lot of time, and was obviously very afraid of her grandson. The police downloaded the recording with her consent.
The recording wasn’t played in the episode. But, the police described that it was a recording of Jasmine and Knowledge talking about the life insurance money. Knowledge wanted Jasmine to take the blame for the murder, so he could have the money.
The Accomplices
Knowledge’s grandma dropped one more bombshell on the police. She said that two other people were involved in Julie’s death. They were Davontae Devine and Malquan Drayton.
On June 22, Jasmine’s grandma, Ruby Crawford, called the police. Ruby said that Jasmine had been threatened by Knowledge, and was ready to talk.
In her interview, Jasmine said that everything started once Knowledge learned about the life insurance money. Jasmine said Knowledge contacted Malquan and Devontae. They met in his grandma’s basement, and the two were offered $15,000 each. They agreed.
Jasmine said they agreed that they would smother Julie. Jasmine said she should’ve called 911, but was afraid that Knowledge would kill her. Jasmine said after the murder, Knowledge slashed her tires, and destroyed her license and registration. He also had threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
Knowledge came into the police station that same day. He told a different story. He said Jasmine had been planning to kill Julie for 2 years. He said that Jasmine was the one who decided that they needed to kill Julie on February 1, after they had one more fight. Julie had been planning to kick Jasmine and Knowledge out because they were mooching on her.
Malquan’s Story
On June 22, Jasmine, Knowledge and Davontae were taken to the county jail. Malquan was found at his job at McDonald’s, and he was the only one who agreed to talk.
Malquan said Knowledge picked them up on February 1, 2017, and hid them in a closet. He said Jasmine and Knowledge left the house to establish their alibi. Malquan said Julie made some food, and sat in her chair in the bedroom.
Malquan said they jumped out, and attacked her after she fell on the floor. Malquan acted out some of his story, which was shocking to the police. Malquan said they used a pillow until Julie stopped struggling. They then called Knowledge, and told him to pick them up at a nearby church.
It wasn’t really said if Malquan and Devontae were the unknown males from earlier, but it’s kind of a coincidence that they said they were looking for directions to the church.
The Plea Deals
Jasmine’s trial was set for July 2018. But, before the jury selection process started, Jasmine said she would plead guilty in exchange for a deal.
Jasmine confessed to her part. She, Knowledge, and Davontae were sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.
Malquan pled guilty to robbery. He is set to be released by 2029.
Jasmine is the only one who has never showed remorse.
Jasmine, Knowledge, Davontae and Malquan
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s heartbreaking to think that Jasmine became so caught up in her relationship, that it completely changed her personality. The relationship was probably abusive, and not healthy at all. Jasmine became so greedy that taking her mom’s life became her priority.
Julie continued to help Jasmine despite everything she said or argued with her about. All four deserve a lot longer sentences in my opinion.
Sources
https://13wham.com/news/local/woman-pleads-guilty-to-murdering-mother-in-ontario
https://apnews.com/article/8f0e49acb47f4d9fa9a776148252587e
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-york-woman-sentenced-kill-mom-insurance-money/1823772/
