TWO UNRELATED MURDERS IN A WEEK TIME SPAN BOTH INDICTED
Posted on 5/17/2018
Defendant: Joshua Samuel Ferrell and Christopher William Edward Martin
Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said, “During two separate and unrelated incidents, one victim was shot to death and the second victim was stabbed over two dozen times.” Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announces that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned two indictments in connection to two separate and unrelated murders that occurred in a week time span this month.
Joshua Samuel Ferrell, age 30, has been indicted for two counts of Murder with Firearm Specifications for the May 2nd, 2018 murder of Mario Dipenti, age 51, that occurred in the middle of the afternoon after the victim was observed walking past Ferrell’s residence. It is alleged that Ferrell exited his residence, crossed Westmoor Court and proceeded to Westmoor Place, where he confronted the victim, a struggle ensued, and Ferrell shot the victim in the chest. Franklin Township Medics arrived and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Christopher William Edward Martin, age 27, has been indicted for two counts of Aggravated Murder, two counts of Murder, and one count of Kidnapping, for a total of five counts, for the May 9th, 2018 murder of his girlfriend Erika Denise Daniels, age 30, that occurred in the early evening at Martin’s apartment located at 1008 Parsons Avenue. “There are multiple murder charges regarding the one victim death because there are different methods to commit the crime of murder and the Prosecutor’s Office typically charges all methods,” O’Brien stated. It was reported that the witnesses saw the victim attempt to escape the apartment through an upstairs window, but Martin was able to pull her back in. Ultimately the victim suffered more than two dozen stab wounds. Medics arrived at the scene and transported the victim to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries shortly thereafter.
O’Brien commended the Columbus Police Department for their investigation in both of these cases. Arraignment for Martin is set for Monday, May 21st and is set for Ferrell on Tuesday, May 29th, 2018, both at 1:30 pm in courtroom 2B at 345 South High Street in downtown Columbus.