The legacy of deceased attorney Precious Martin continues to sink deeper into the mud, as the war currently waged in federal court by Crystal Martin and Brandi Barnett over Mr. Martin's $500,000 life insurance policy got dirty last week. Literally. Crystal Martin is Mr. Martin's widow, while Ms. Barnett is his alleged mistress. Ms. Barnett filed a motion to compel discovery after Mrs. Martin did not answer several interrogatories. Mr. Martin was killed last May in an ATV accident in Ridgeland. JJ reported in December:
State Farm v. Crystal Martin and Brandi Barnett will probably be the legacy of the now-deceased Precious Martin as his wife and Brandi Barnett both dispute who should be the proper beneficiary of a $500,272 life insurance policy held by Mr. Martin that named Ms. Barnett as the beneficiary. Crystal Martin also said Ms. Barnett lived in a home owned by Precious Martin and accused her of "seducing" her husband as she sued her for alienation of affection. The case has been assigned to Judge Henry Wingate.
State Farm filed a complaint for interpleader in U.S. District Court on September 18, 2014. Mr. Martin was killed earlier this year in an ATV accident in Ridgeland. His wife and three children survived his death. State Farm asked the court to determine the proper beneficiary of the policy as Mrs. Martin disputed the validity of Ms. Barnett's claim. Mr. Martin purchased the policy in May 2013. Mrs. Martin argued Ms. Barnett had no "insurable interest". The insurer offered to deposit the amount with the court.. Earlier post with copy of complaints.Mrs. Martin sued Ms. Barnett for alienation of affection (as part of the federal case) and claimed:
Cross-Defendant Brandi Barnett seduced Precious Martin and induced, persuaded and encouraged Precious Martin to engage in an extra-marital affair and sexual relationship with her. Brandi Barnett engaged in such solicitous activity culminating in a sexual relationship with Precious Martin with full knowledge that Precious Martin was married to Crystal Martin with children. Brandi Barnett’s actions were wrongful in that she seduced Precious Martin with full knowledge of his marital relationship with Crystal Martin, her employer, and induced and encouraged Precious Martin to engage in a sexual relationship outside of his marriage and continuously encouraged Precious Martin to abandon his marriage and family and affection for Crystal Martin.....The two sides have sparred in court since the original filings in September. Cross-claims, counterclaims, motions to dismiss, all the weapons of legal warfare have been used at some point in this case. Ms. Barnett submitted a set of interrogatories to Mrs. Martin as part of discovery. Ms. Barnett is represented by attorney Nick Norris. Mr. Norris argues that Mrs. Martin missed three deadlines in responding to the interrogatories and should thus be forced to answer.
Kingfish note: There were details of the case rather salacious in nature. I removed them today after discussion with others, including several veteran journalists. There are kids who lost their father last year. The court records are still posted below. I know this will anger some people or bring me some criticism but it felt like the right thing to do. Future filings will be reported and editorial decisions about them will be made on the individual merits of each filing.
25 comments:
Won't matter. Wingate will take a minimum of 10 years to issue a ruling. At least we get to have some fun reading material.
As Hank Hill would say . . . Boy Howdy.
What is the purpose of the STD questions?
Does the mistress know she had a STD that was transmitted to Precious or vice versa? If Mrs. Martin doesn't have the STD or was treated for it, then they could conclude they weren't having sex and thus no loss of affection?
Sounds like an open relationship gone bad. At least they stayed together for the kids ;)
Or the defense. Why not just deny it or say no?
I really don't believe this man had a $100,000.00 life policy that was unencumbered.
He ripped off everyone in town. Precious Martin was the biggest asshole ever.
Great article for her young kids to read. Please show some class and take this down.
11:23, my guess is that "her" kids already know about his alleged philandering and the difficulties between their parents. Probably heard it at every school they attended nee bullied at.
@ 11:23 - I don't get your logic.
The classy thing would have been not having an mistress and teaching that example to the kids.
Mrs. Martin is the daughter of the Hinds County Chancellor Pat Wise...I am sure she is taking Mommy Dearest's advice...
Precious Martin = classy = oxymoron
The only thing funnier would be if the protagonists in this STD story were Kenneth, LaRita and a hot mama bus driver from Marrero, Louisiana.
There might be $500,000 to begin with, but by the time this is over, there will only be about $12.87 remaining after lawyer fees and other expenses.......
Just curious: Does anyone know the general circumstances of Ms. Martin's leaving the Board of Supervisors?
When this goes to trial there better be cameras in that courtroom. If the press doesn't ask they are not serious reporters. Live courtroom feed?
With a name like 'Precious' don't yall know he got in a fight every day at school? @10:38am - No wonder he was a the asshole ever.
5:23, Why? The metro has gotten so used to and numb to this sort of comedy/drama in 'the colored community' it makes no difference. This is nothing more than a modern day Amos 'N Andy with Kingfish in his usual role.
Doors anyone have pics of the wife and mistress? I want to see what kind of woman a millionaire lawyer from Jackson, MS can pull.
This town is riddled with non-serious reporters. Ain't no reporter going after metro graft and corruption like Kingfish. Not one.
What happened to all of the $$$ these two slackers plundered from Hinds County & Motorola?
What an embarrassing legacy to leave behind...
At least he died before it got even more embarrassing.
9:38pm
Totally agree! The news in Jackson is a waste.
JJ is the only place for actual news.
Excellent reporting KF!
6:48; No way your post will be cut. Any post sucking up to KF will make the cut. But, you already knew that.
Back to the story; Are we going to exhume the body to test for sexually transmitted disease?
Totally understand KF.
Let's not forget the Martin's filed criminal charges against and posted a 10yr olds name for public record. Remember that?
But let's not discuss the salacious adult behavior that everyone knew was going on...
How many his kids we protecting here? Only the legitimate ones?
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