The Wayne County Office of the Sheriff reported the arrest of four individuals following a four month long investigation into a suspicious death of a Town of Ontario Woman.
On February 1, Deputies responded to 79 Jonathan Lane in the Town of Ontario for a death investigation. Deputies found Julie L. Martin, age 52, deceased inside the residence. After a lengthy investigation Deputies arrested four people over the last three days, including the victim’s daughter in what was called a ‘murder for insurance money’.
Police said the cause of death was suffocation. Investigators worked around the clock in the days leading up to the arrests.
Arrested were:
Jasmine J. Harlee, age 22, of 8601 York Settlement Road in the Town of Sodus (the victim’s daughter). It is believed she had been staying with Martin at the time of the crime.
Knowledge O. Couser, age 21, of 205 Depew Street in the City of Rochester. Harlee and Couser were reportedly in a relationship.
Malquan A. Drayton, age 19, of 53 Pinnacle Road in the Town of Pittsford.
Davontae M. Devine, age 18, of 53 Pinnacle Road in the Town of Pittsford.
Knowledge and Davonte are brothers.
All four were arrested and charged with Murder in the First Degree and Conspiracy in the Second Degree. It is alleged that all four of the defendants conspired to commit and did murder Julie L. Martin for Insurance money. The amount of the insurance policy is unknown at this time. Harlee did reportedly sell her mother’s trailer home after her death. It was also learned that Harlee was pushing the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office to get a death certificate for Martin.
All four defendants were arraigned in the Town of Ontario Court in front of Judge Paul Sucher and were remanded to the Wayne County Jail without bail. All four are scheduled to return to the Town of Ontario Court on Monday (6/26) for a preliminary hearing.
The case came to light after an individual came forward to give police a break in the case. According to Sheriff Barry Virts, one lead led to another leading up to the arrests. “It’s very troubling. You’re taking about a person that gave someone life and now they turn around and kill their parent. That’s very disturbing. Very disturbing”, said Virts.
According to District Attorney Chris Bokelman, he doubts all four have the time to get representation in time for Monday’s preliminary hearing. Only Devontae Devine, who turned himself in to Greece Police after finding out there was a wanted, “lawyered-up” by the time of his arrest.
Following preliminary hearings, the District Attorney’s Office can hold the four defendants for up to 45 days before presenting it to a grand jury.
Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted by the Greece Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Coroner’s Office and District Attorney’s Office.
Carey Cain, Julie Martin’s Neighbor and friend lived next door for three and a half years in the Orchard Park Mobile Home Park. “She cherished her garden. The kids would come over and garden for her and she’d pay them with candy. Everyone loved her. She didn’t have any grandchildren but called herself grandma to all the kids around and they were all devastated when they found out, remembered Carey. “She was good to everybody. She’d do anything for anyone around the neighborhood. Everyone loved her. She didn’t have any grandchildren but called herself grandma to all the kids around and they were all devastated when they found out. She would have done anything for her daughter. Wanted better for her daughter. Just remember her. Remember her when you drive by here.”
Within a couple hours after her death Janet Flynn, Julie Martin’s sister, was talking to Jasmine. “She was cold. The first thing she said to me was yep my moms gone. No emotion whatsoever. “I hope they get what they deserve if they did it. She (Julie Martin) would have done anything for her daughter. Wanted better for her daughter. Just remember her. Remember her when you drive by here.”
Investigators in the case were Tammy Ryndock, Matt Hilkert, Kevin Kuntz and Roger LaClaire
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding this case, please contact the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at (315) 946-9711. WHAM13 contributed to the story
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