A man has been found guilty of murder and additional charges after deliberately hitting a 64-year-old woman with his pickup truck and using her dead body for sexual relations.
The accused, identified as Colby Martin, 31, committed the horrific act and subsequently transported the woman’s lifeless body to a remote wooded area several miles away.
Authorities from Van Buren County revealed that the incident occurred in 2021 when Melody Rohrer was out for a jog. Martin, who had no previous acquaintance with Rohrer, intentionally hit her with his vehicle. He then callously placed her deceased body into his truck and engaged in repugnant sexual offenses.
Following a comprehensive trial, Martin was convicted of first-degree murder on Wednesday, June 14. This conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
Despite admitting to hitting Rohrer and leaving her lifeless body in St. Joseph County, during a police interview Martin vehemently denied committing any sexual offenses. Throughout the trial, his defense attorney made efforts to convince the jury that the incident was a tragic accident.
The innocent victim’s husband, Richard Rohrer, told reporters he was glad the killer had been convicted, but said, “there is no joy in my family’s heart today.”
