Andrez Martina: Suspect in Hammer Murder of Grandson Had Prior Homicide Case

Andrez Martina, the grandfather of Andre Smith Jr., is the suspect accused of bludgeoning the boy to death with a hammer, a law enforcement source told Wisconsin Right Now. The boy's aunt also identified Martina on social media. Andrez Martina was on the run, although the aunt wrote, "they got him." We've learned that he is a multiple time felon convicted of drug dealing and was arrested years ago for homicide, which raises the question of how he was able to access the child, who was under the supervision of Child Protective Services. Court records show that he was convicted of a charge under Wisconsin Statutes 940.01(89), according to online court records. 940.01 is the first-degree intentional homicide statute. The clerk at the courthouse said that charge was first-degree intentional homicide. Our source confirmed that he was arrested for first-degree intentional homicide on June 11, 1989. The case is converted in the system because it's so old; we've ordered it to get additional details. He was quoted in this story about an apartment building where he used to live in South Bend, Indiana. https://twitter.com/BOdanielTV/status/1209230990268342273 We reached out to CPS to find out, asking a series of questions. They refused to answer them, but did release this brief report. "Due to confidentiality requirements defined in Section 48.78 and 48.981(7) of Wisconsin State Statutes, the Department of Children and Families cannot confirm or deny if this family has been involved in any child welfare investigations or provide any information other than what is provided in the public notification for cases that qualify for the exception outlined in Wisconsin Statutes," they told Wisconsin Right Now. The child's aunt told WISN-TV that he was beaten in the head with a hammer inside a home near 46th Street and Hampton Avenue in Milwaukee. Khekima Martina, the child's stepbrother, said the suspect was an adult relative who accused the child of taking cash. The grandmother is trying to raise money through GoFundMe. "Hi, my name is Illysha McCroy. My grandson Andre Smith was killed 08/29/21 with a hammer. He was only 12 years old. Please donate anything you can to help with the funeral. Thank you," she wrote on the page. McCrory doesn't have a criminal history in Wisconsin, per online court records. But Andrez Martina does, and it's an extensive one.

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Andrez Martina Criminal History

The boy's mother, Nakeda Martina, lost custody of Andre and lives in Georgia, according to WTMJ-TV. She told the television station that he was hit by a car on July 4, and she had been calling CPS "every week" with concerns, but "nobody listen to me." She said the grandmother had custody of Andre and his siblings. She told CBS 58 that she sent Andre's guardian text messages asking her not to allow the grandfather around her kids. There is no mention of Andre's father in the news stories. This is Andrez Martina's criminal history in Wisconsin in addition to the homicide case: Felony bail jumping, charge dismissed but read in at sentencing - 2007. Felony marijuana dealing. Convicted. 2006. Judge Carl Ashley gave him two years in prison. Felony marijuana possession. Convicted. 1999. House of Correction time. Felony marijuana dealing more than 500 grams as a habitual criminal. 1992. Probation. Substantially causing bodily harm to another, felony conviction. 1986. He was accused in 1994 of being part of a drug smuggling ring into a Racine prison. Milwaukee police said they are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, August 29, 2021, at 8:40 a.m., on the 4600 block of N. 46^th St. The victim, a 12 year old boy, sustained life-threatening injuries “caused by blunt force.” He was taken to a hospital and died there. An 8-year-old boy sustained non-fatal injuries. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Police are seeking a “known suspect.” Anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee PPolice at 414-935-7360 or Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS.