On January 26, 2021, police officers were dispatched to a luxury apartment complex in San Antonio, Texas, for a welfare check.
When they arrived, they were met with a gruesome scene marked by both tragedy and confusion.
They discovered 34-year-old Martell DeRouen lifeless, the victim of a single gunshot wound to the head.
The apartment also showed signs of a violent struggle, further raising several unanswered questions.
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| Martell DeRouen |
A Promising Life Cut Short: Background of Martel de Rouen
Martell DeRouen was known for his achievements and ambition.
At 34, he was already a respected military veteran and a rising star in the music industry.
Martell had served six years in the Air Force as a decorated sergeant in Air Force Intelligence.
While in the Air Force, he managed some of the military's most sensitive operations.
After his military career, he followed his passion for music and adopted the stage name Kardone.
He was also related to Beyoncé through his grandmother, Agnes DeRouen
Martell’s personal life was equally notable.
He was married to Joia DeRouen since 2007, but they had separated two years before his death.
Despite living apart, they still maintained a cordial relationship and continued to see each other regularly.
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| Martell DeRouen |
The Night of Horror
On January 22, 2021, a neighbor living directly below Martell’s unit reported hearing a violent argument that night.
Though she recorded some of the commotion, she did not call the police.
A few minutes later, an emergency call was made from Martell's apartment by a woman claiming to be his wife.
However, the caller failed to provide some specific details about the situation, which immediately raised suspicion about her true identity.
Regardless of the caller's identity, authorities responded to the address and found Martell’s lifeless body with a gunshot wound.
An investigation began immediately following this disturbing discovery.
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| Sasha Skare |
The Enigma of the Shooter: Investigation and Motive
The investigation soon uncovered a key piece of evidence.
A doorbell camera captured a young woman holding a pistol near Martell’s apartment on the night of the shooting.
The woman was later identified as Sasha Skare, a 21-year-old aspiring musician.
She was also Martell’s former lover.
Sasha had previously faced serious legal issues; however, her involvement in Martell’s murder came as a shock.
Sasha had met Martell years earlier during a music video shoot.
After his separation from Joya, they began a romantic relationship.
On the night of the murder, Sasha claimed that an argument with Martel escalated into a physical altercation.
She said that she shot Martell in self-defense because she was afraid for her life after the argument.
However, the doorbell footage showed her armed and agitated, casting doubt on her claims of self-defense.
The investigation also revealed that she was the unknown caller who claimed to be Martell’s wife.
This further raised troubling questions about her true involvement.
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| Sasha Skare crying in court |
Seeking Justice: The Trial and Its Outcome
After a thorough investigation by detectives, Sasha Skare was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Her trial revealed a complex web of facts and interpretations.
The prosecution argued that Sasha, after an altercation with Martel, intentionally fired the gun to harm him.
They highlighted evidence of a struggle inside the apartment and Sasha’s own admission of firing the weapon.
In contrast, Sasha’s defense portrayed her as a victim of Martel’s aggression.
They argued that she was afraid for her life and that the shooting was an unfortunate accident caused by fear.
However, the defense had a hard time countering the prosecution’s evidence.
This included the 911 call where Sasha pretended to be Joia and other inconsistencies in her story.
Sasha Skarr also testified, giving her account of the events that night.
She said she received a call while with Martel, which made him jealous and angry.
Sasha said this call caused a heated argument that escalated into a deadly fight.
You can watch her court confession below.
In the end, the jury agreed with the prosecution and found her guilty of first-degree murder.
The jury found her guilty after deliberating for about two hours.
Sasha Skare was subsequently sentenced to 55 years in prison for the murder of Martell DeRouen.
She declined a plea deal that would have offered her a 20-year sentence before the trial.
In the end, justice was served, but it could not replace the profound loss suffered by Martel’s loved ones.
Below is a longer video from Just Thought Lounge on YouTube, offering more analysis and visual representation of the case.
In another case, a police officer lost his life after a 19-year-old managed to sneak a gun into the interrogation room.
Click here for more details on that case.
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