A man and a woman killed in an Englewood apartment May 5 were strangled by a homeless man who snapped after his girlfriend complained that one of the victims had hit her, according to court records obtained Monday.
The apartment in the 3500 block of South Bannock Street was a methamphetamine haven for homeless people, according to an arrest affidavit.
Russell Wayne Martin, a 34-year-old drifter with an arrest record that includes burglary, domestic violence, auto theft and drug possession, turned himself in to police Thursday.
He faces two counts of first degree murder and menacing.
Martin’s girlfriend, Sonya Hogate, told police that Martin confronted 56-year-old Reed Mikrut about beating her and started fighting with him.
Hogate and another woman, Beverly Sechler, 58, heard the fight taking place from another room in the apartment but did not see how Mikrut died. An autopsy showed he was strangled.
After fighting with Mikrut, the affidavit says, Martin went to the bedroom with the two women and was in a rage, saying “he didn’t need any witnesses.”
Hogate told police Martin took a rope and put it around Sechler’s neck until she was unconscious.
Hogate told police she feared for her life and that Martin strangled Sechler a second time. Hogate and Martin then tried to resuscitate Sechler, the report says.
Hogate said Martin grabbed her around her neck and attempted to choke her and then forced her to leave the apartment with him, the affidavit says.
“As they walked, Martin said he should’ve taken his medication and that they should’ve known he was about to go off,” the affidavit says.
Hogate and Martin eventually separated.
A friend of Hogate’s called police to tell them about the homicides, adding that Hogate was too scared to do so, the affidavit says.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
