Share and Follow
An Iowa resident has confessed to the fatal stabbing of his wife in January, revealing that he planned the murder just hours before carrying it out.
James Martin, aged 47, claimed he killed Amber Martin to “put her out of her misery,” believing that their financial difficulties were insurmountable, as reported by KCRG.
According to newly released court documents, Martin’s mother was present during the January 16th incident and implored her son to stop, even stepping between him and his wife in an attempt to intervene.
Coralville police responded to a call at the residence shortly after 6:30 a.m. that morning, where they discovered Amber Martin with multiple stab wounds. Despite efforts to save her, she was declared dead at the scene.
Inside the home, officers found a knife covered in blood in the kitchen sink, along with bloodstains and bloody clothing scattered around the area.
Martin’s mother told investigators that she came to the home at about 1 a.m. that morning because of concerns over her son’s mental health. She said she fell asleep on the living room couch and woke up to a commotion. She initially thought it was the cat, but then her Amber Martin calling for help.
She said she saw her son stabbing his wife and rushed in to try to stop him.
Investigators said in the newly released affidavit that Martin planned the murder and ambushed his wife, Law&Crime reported.
“In the hours leading up to the defendant killing the victim, the defendant formulated a plan to kill the victim,” the complaint said. “The defendant retrieved a kitchen knife and surprised the victim as she exited another room and stabbed the victim repeatedly.”
Amber Martin was a medical laboratory scientist supervisor in the University of Iowa Health Care system, Muddy River News reported.
James Martin was arrested and charged with first degree murder, KCRG reported.