Opening arguments began April 24 in the attempted murder trial of James “Jim” Martin, who prosecutors say stabbed and shot his wife, professional boxer Christy Martin, in 2010.
Christy Martin flagged down a motorist on Nov. 23, 2010, and said her husband hat brutally attacked her. Orange County deputies found James Martin a week later and charged him with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery causing bodily harm.
Assistant State Attorney Ryan Vescio told jurors in his opening argument that the “violence of this attack is astounding.” He added that the situation that unfolded between the couple was “20 years in the making,” and that Christy Martin had rekindled a relationship with a woman from her past and that James Martin was unhappy to lose control of her.
“During this trial, you’re going to hear about the biggest decision in Christy Martin’s life,” Vescio said. “You’ll hear about a life of being controlled, of being manipulated.”
He went on to tell jurors that they will hear testimony from Christy Martin, who will tell them in detail about a brutal attack by her husband.
Defense attorney William Hancock, however, questioned the credibility of the former boxer, telling the jury during his opening argument that Christy Martin had “lived a lie” for two decades. Hancock added that Christy Martin was physically stronger than her husband, pointing out that James Martin was in his late 60s and had recently suffered a heart attack at the time of the attack. He went on to paint a picture of Christy Martin as a 40-something champion boxer training for her next bout.
In a deposition, Martin said that the attack came after she informed her husband that she was leaving him for a woman. She also said that James Martin had blackmailed her into marrying him in the first place, holding her hostage with videotapes of sexual activities and threats to expose her sexual orientation.
