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Georgia Mom Isabel Martinez Smiles, Gives Thumbs-Up In Court As She Faces Multiple Murder Charges

By Patricia Ramirez
Published on: 09:43 PST, Jul 7, 2017

Isabel Martinez, the Georgia mom accused of violently stabbing her husband and four of her children to death, appeared in court on Friday. Inexplicably and disturbingly, the 33-year-old was all smiles in the courtroom, even giving a thumbs-up to the media during her appearance. While she was in court, Martinez told Magistrate Judge Michael Thorpe that she doesn’t want an attorney.

The Georgia mom is facing five murder charges related to allegedly stabbing her husband and four of her five young children to death. The fifth child was also brutally stabbed during the attack, and in addition to the five murder charges, Isabel Martinez is also facing six aggravated assault charges. ICE has also become involved in the case, as Martinez is reportedly in the U.S. illegally.

As People reports, the ages of Martinez’ alleged victims range from two t0 33-years-old. According to Gwinnett County prosecutors, Isabel Martinez murdered her husband, 33-year-old Martin Romero, as well as 10-year-old Isabela Martinez, 7-year-old Dacota Romero, 4-year-old Dillan Romero, and 2-year-old Axel Romero.

The surviving victim of Isabel Martinez’ alleged stabbing attack is the suspect’s 9-year-old daughter, Diana. Diana is reportedly “awake and talking,” however she is expected to remain in the hospital for at least the next few weeks as a result of her horrific injuries, injuries allegedly inflicted by her own mother.

As WSB-TV 2 reports, neither Georgia mom Isabel Martinez, nor her family was seen by neighbors on Wednesday. The situation was so bizarre to those familiar with the family that a cousin came to do a welfare check by knocking on the door that afternoon, but nobody answered.

On Thursday, Martinez herself reportedly called 911 at about 4:45 a.m. When police arrived at the family’s home, they found a “horrendous” and bloody scene. Isabel Martinez was immediately taken into custody for the murders of her husband and four of their children, while her surviving daughter was taken to the hospital in serious but stable condition.

In the aftermath of the murders, family members have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the medical expenses of 9-year-old Diana, as well as to offset the funeral costs for the five murder victims.

According to those close to the family, Isabel had been at church praying on Sunday. She was reportedly depressed about the recent death of her father in Mexico, but gave no indication that she was prepared to harm her family.

“She seemed so normal, like a regular mother. She was good, went to our church last weekend. She was there with us.”

The family had reportedly only been in the neighborhood for a few months prior to the murders.

During her Friday court appearance, Isabel Martinez reportedly addressed the judge with her hand and body movements, wagging her finger and shaking her head “no” while the charges against her were read. Included among those charges were five counts of murder and malice murder along with six counts of aggravated assault.

“This is a horrendous crime not only for the victims but for the extended family, neighborhood and community.”

Judge Thorpe was apparently not impressed with her behavior and reprimanded the Georgia mom in open court, reportedly telling her to “stop performing for the cameras.”

While Georgia mom Isabel Martinez told the court that she does not want an attorney, claiming that she would be represented by “the people and her faith,” she was advised that she needed to hire one or have one appointed to her. Ultimately, defense attorney Robert Greenwald was appointed by the court to represent her.

Despite smiling, giving the thumbs-up sign, and gesturing to the judge during her Friday court appearance, Georgia mom Isabel Martinez did not enter a plea, and investigators have not revealed a motive for the unthinkable crime.

[Featured Image by John Bazemore/AP Images]

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