2 accused of using sledgehammer and TV to carry out fatal attack in Shirley
Suffolk County police did not release a motive for the attack, though neighbors said they believed it originated as a dispute between roommates.
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A man and woman from Suffolk County are accused of using a four-pound sledgehammer and a television to carry out a vicious beating that killed one man at his home in Shirley.
According to court documents, Korey Sammarco, 36 and Melissa Fawcett, 50, were among a group of five people who showed up at 183 Hounslow Rd. around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 14.
The pair got into a fight with the victim, Christopher Martin, 48.
Both are accused of punching, kicking and beating Martin, who suffered from multiple broken ribs, a broken nose and severe facial trauma.
Sammarco admitted to police that he used the tool and the television in the attack before continuing to punch Martin in the face and body, according to court documents.
Fawcett told investigators, "Yeah, I took a couple of shots at [Martin], and then I smashed his cellphone on the street."
Suffolk County police said they responded to the home after someone else who lived there called officers to report that a man who was renting a room was seriously injured in a fight.
Martin was taken to the hospital, where he died.
This morning, Suffolk County police said Homicide Squad detectives announced they arrested the two on Monday. Investigators said Fawcett lives in Central Islip and Sammarco lives with the victim.
Police have not released a motive, but neighbors said they believe it was over a dispute between roommates.
"One of the guys, I think, got kicked out and it looks like they came back to get some stuff," Shirley resident Tom Kramer said. "The next thing we know we see police, ambulance and everything else and find out that unfortunately somebody got killed."
Suffolk County police charged the pair with 1st degree gang assault.
Both are at First District Court in Central Islip for arraignment today.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392.
