MLB Draft Pick/Prospect Brandon Willie Martin Handed Life in Prison
Photo: Brandon Martin
RIVERSIDE – When three men were beaten to death with a a black wooden baseball bat engraved with Brandon Martin’s name, a search was on for whoever perpetrated the attack and fled. Brandon’s father, Michael Martin, and ADT Installer Barry Swanson both died at the scene, Brandon’s uncle, Ricky Andersen, died two days later.
“Swanson was at the Martin family home on Winthrop Drive in Corona to install an ADT alarm system because the family feared Brandon Martin,” said John Hall of the Riverside District Attorney’s Office. “The bodies of the three men were discovered by Brandon Martin’s cousin, who called 911.”
Martin, who’d stolen Swanson’s Ford Raptor pickup truck on 09/17/2015, was spotted by a Corona PD off-duty officer. A pursuit ensued, Martin jumped out of the truck, and fled on foot.
After breaking into a home, then jumping from the 2nd-story window, a Corona PD canine was sent. Martin fought the canine, then was arrested.
Originally, Brandon Martin had been the 38th overall Major League Baseball draft pick in 2011 – selected by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was released by the team in March 2015.
An alleged history of violent and abusive behavior issued Martin a restraining order, reportedly requiring him to stay away from family members.
Fast-forward to five years later: The case, RIF1506112, was prosecuted by Deputy DAs Michael Kersse and Kevin Beecham of the DA’s Homicide Trial Team.
Jurors pondered several days of evidence and testimony in this special-circumstance murder case. Their options were one of two possible recommended sentences: to either recommend Martin be sentenced to death, or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“On Nov. 4, 2020, Brandon Willie Martin, DOB: 8-24-93, was found guilty of the murders of his disabled father, Michael Martin, 64; his uncle, Ricky Andersen, 58; and Barry Swanson, 62 – an ADT alarm installer,” said Hall. “The jury found Martin guilty of first-degree murder and found the special circumstance of multiple murders to be true, making him eligible for the death penalty.”
A new Court date has been announced: Superior Court Judge Bernard Schwartz will render Martin’s sentence at the Hall of Justice in Riverside on 01/29/2021.
