Jennifer Martel’s Family Speaks Out About Jared Remy
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Bruno Vincent/Getty Images(BOSTON) — Those close to Jennifer Martel, the woman allegedly murdered by Jared Remy, said they wish they could have done more to stop what prosecutors described as a “vicious attack” that played out in front of neighbors.
Police said 27-year-old Martel, was stabbed to death by Remy, 34, the troubled son of famed Boston Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy, who was her boyfriend. Martel’s bloodied body was found Thursday night on a patio outside the apartment where she lived with her young daughter.
“Neighbors tried to help, we tried to stop it. We couldn’t,” Ben Ray, who witnessed the attack, told CBS Boston affiliate WBZ-TV. “People stepped in to try and save a girl’s life and we couldn’t.”
Martel’s uncle, Richard Martel Jr., told ABC News’ Good Morning America remembered his niece as “a great kid,” but said there were warning signs of danger between her and Remy.
“He never let her go out anywhere, he wanted her for himself,” he said. “She’s dead now, and I predicted it to my friends.”
Martel’s grandfather, who never met Remy, said her death has still not sunk in.
“It was a real shock. I didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what to do,” he told ABC Boston affiliate WCVB-TV. “I’m going to accept the fact that my granddaughter’s gone.”
Remy was arraigned Friday in Waltham District Court on charges of murder and assault. He pleaded not guilty, but was ordered held without bail.
In court, prosecutors said a neighbor tried to pull Remy off Martel, but could not budge the heavily muscled suspect, and Remy swung a knife at the neighbor, but missed. Remy is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for those alleged actions.
Remy was covered in blood and there was evidence of a struggle throughout the apartment, officials said.
Martel, who was approaching her 28th birthday, had a 4-year-old daughter who was home at the time of the struggle. The child was unharmed and is now with a state child welfare agency.
Remy’s argument with Martel began Tuesday and escalated into Remy pushing her into a bathroom mirror, authorities said.
He was arrested on a charge of assaulting Martel, but pleaded not guilty and was released. The judge issued a restraining order that required Remy to stay away from Martel. The order, however, was lifted the same day at Martel’s request, according to court documents.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said the bail recommendation that Remy be released on his personal recognizance was “based on information known to us at the time.”
“On Wednesday a request was made based on the information we had on Wednesday,” Ryan said. “Obviously and tragically there is different information today.”
The Remy family attorney, Pete Bella, said that he has been in touch with the Remy family, who is devastated.
“Just a very sad and tragic day for two families,” he said.
Remy has a troubled past. He admitted to beating up a former girlfriend in 2005. In 2009 he was fired from his security job at Fenway Park in a steroids scandal.
The Red Sox’s TV network NESN issued a statement saying, “This morning, we learned of a terrible tragedy. All of us at NESN and the Red Sox, along with Jerry Remy, are filled with grief for everyone involved, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Jennifer Martel. “
He is the son of Jerry Remy, who played second base for the Red Sox from 1978-1984 and who has been a fan favorite as a broadcaster for the team since 1988.
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