http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx
Exclusive Interview With Earl Martin On Murder Of Erica Bradfield
TYRONE MORRISÂ EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
 Earl Martin is charged in the death of Erica Bradfield though he says Bradfield did not die at his hands but rather her own. 44News Reporter Lauren Leslie spoke with Martin at Vanderburgh County Jail. She has the exclusive interview.
Martin is changing his story from what police say he reportedly told his 15-year-old son. From jail, Martin claims Bradfield shot herself and he had nothing to do with her death. “I got scared and tried to figure out what to do or how to deal with the situation and I tried to cover it up.
An emotionless Martin tries to remember when exactly Bradfield died. “Erica has been dead for probably, I don’t know four or five weeks, she’s been dead awhile. Year, I don’t remember the exact date,†says Martin.
Three days before Christmas, Evansville Police responded to Martin’s mother’s house on Bellemeade Avenue where investigators located Human remains in multiple trash bags.
Martin was asked why Bradfield was found the way she was. “I was like ‘I got to clean this up’ so I moved her to the basement and I cleaned up, you know, the mess or whatever.â€
While Martin claims Bradfield committed suicide the document charging him with her death tells a different story.
Police say Martin told his 15-year-old son a person broke into his mother’s home. He shot the intruder twice, put a trash bag over her head, and took her to the basement where he proceeded to dismember her body.
The 15-year-old told police his father planned for the remains to be picked up with the regular trash and taken to the landfill. “I knew that what was in the basement was not Erica no more, you know what I mean? And I know it sounds messed up, in a way it is, but it wasn’t her anymore, you know? Erica was gone.â€
Martin’s new version of the story places blame on the victim. “What she did put me in a situation and there was no way to get around it,†says Martin.
While Martin says Bradfield took her own life, here he calls it a murder.
“If it got reported I was going to do time maybe not for the murder but for something else so I tried to cover it up. That’s what I’m guilty of, that’s all I’m guilty of.â€
Martin is charged in a second case where he faces murder and attempted murder charges stemming from what police say was a drug deal gone bad. In that case, 20-year-old Christopher Hoefling died and a second victim, Brandon Waldroup, was shot. Martin remained tight-lipped on that case, saying it could affect his co-defendant.
When told people in the community would view him as a monster. He replied, “I’m sure, of course, a lot of people couldn’t see themselves but when you’re in a tight situation like that I just tried to do the best I could.
The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s office ruled Bradfield’s death a homicide. Coroner Steve Lockyear says suicide is not a reasonable explanation of how Bradfield died.
A forensic anthropologist with the University of Southern Indiana is working with the Coroner’s office to determine what type of saw was used to dismember Bradfield.
Martin did appear in court Wednesday afternoon. He was advised of his charges.
His next court appearance is set for February 22nd.
“READERS FORUM” JANUARY 5, 2018
WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
We hope that todays “Readers Forumâ€Â will provoke “…honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?â€
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Would you vote for former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel if he decided to run for 8th District Congressmen?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS†and “LOCAL SPORTSâ€.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.
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JUST IN: Gang Unit and US Marshal’s arrest 15 year old attempted murder suspect on southeast side
The EPD Gang Unit and the members of the US Marshal’s Task Force arrested a 15 year old Evansville resident for Attempted Murder on Thursday night.
The juvenile was wanted on a warrant stemming from an incident on December 9th, 2017. During the incident, the juvenile reportedly fired multiple shots at a woman in the 700 block of Judson St.
Police believe the woman was intentionally targeted because her son had refused to fight the suspect during an earlier confrontation.
The suspect was arrested in the Heathmoore apartment complex on S. Green River Rd around 8:30pm. After his arrest, a search warrant for the apartment was issued. During a search of the apartment, police found 2 handguns hidden inside a vacuum cleaner.
The juvenile was arrested and placed at the Youth Care Center.
Police also located a second person in the apartment. Sauvaun Cunningham, 19, was not arrested. However, police had a recent contact Cunningham when he was repo rtedly shot while walking in the 1500 block of Joyce Ave on December 31st, 2017. No arrest have been made in that case.
AG Curtis Hill Statement on Department of Justice Marijuana Policy
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill today released a statement on the decision by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to rescind Department of Justice marijuana policy (known as the “Cole memoâ€) adopted during the Obama-era:
“These Obama-era rules, giving discretion to federal prosecutors in marijuana cases, have created a legal gray area on an issue that should be black and white. Marijuana is either legal or it is not. While Congress had taken no action to legalize marijuana, the executive branch essentially neutralized the law by choosing not to enforce it.
As long as federal law prohibits the use, sale and possession of marijuana, it is incumbent upon the Department of Justice to enforce the law, and General Sessions’ termination of the ‘Cole memo’ does just that.†Â
Adopt A Pet
Velma is a female calico. She is 2 years old and mom to the “Mystery Machine†litter of kittens! Her adoption fee is $40. She’ll go home spayed, microchipped, and vaccinated for that price. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!
Commissioners to Announce Bicentennial Plans at Press Conference on Friday, January 5th
Friday, January 5th, at 11:30am, Vanderburgh County Commissioners, Bruce Ungethiem, Cheryl Musgrave and Ben Shoulders will announce plans to celebrate the 2018 Vanderburgh County Bicentennial during a press conference. The County is planning many events, activities and public projects throughout the year to mark the 200thanniversary of Vanderburgh County. The official Vanderburgh County Bicentennial logo will be revealed along with information about the upcoming celebration campaign. The Bicentennial celebration will pay tribute to the community, history, culture and future of Vanderburgh County.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate all that has been great in our first 200 years and look forward to hundreds of more years of growth and prosperity,†County Commissioner Ben Shoulders states. County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave goes on to say “Vanderburgh County is home to many unique communities, organizations, businesses and industries that shape our resident’s way of life.†County Commissioner Bruce Ungethiem adds, “This year, we want to honor the history, culture and future of our county through celebratory events, recognition of these amazing groups and engagement with the people who make us who we are.â€
All media outlets and the public are invited to attend the press conference on Friday, January 5th at 11:30am taking place in the Aiken Theatre lobby at Old National Events Plaza, located at 715 Locust St. Evansville, IN. Birthday cake and refreshments will be provided.
