Two-Time Olympian’s Mother Fatally Shot by Stray Bullet, Connecticut Man Shooter Convicted of Murder

Two-Time Olympian’s Mother Fatally Shot by Stray Bullet

According to US News, the incident occurred on April 9, 2022, when Mabel Martinez Antongiorgi, aged 56, was innocently engrossed in her sewing and crafts room.

A stray bullet from a Connecticut man unexpectedly flew through a wall, striking her in the head and ending her life in a split second.

Mabel’s daughter, Yarimar Mercado Martinez, was a talented athlete who represented Puerto Rico in the 2016 Olympics and the pandemic-delayed 2020 Games.

Tragically, she was away in Brazil for a competition when her mother was fatally shot.

In the wake of her mother’s untimely demise, Yarimar expressed her heartache on social media, stating the fact that she couldn’t even bid farewell to her beloved mother.

READ ALSO: Wichita Hospital Sued After 76-Year-Old Woman Claims Man Sexually Assaulted Her In Hospital Room

Connecticut Man Shooter Convicted of Murder

According to Chron, during the trial, testimony revealed that Connecticut man Franklin Robinson had acted out of jealousy, seeking revenge on a man who had greeted his girlfriend on a previous occasion.

After a heated confrontation with the man and his friends, Connecticut man Robinson enlisted the help of a few acquaintances in a plan to confront the target. On that fateful day, the trio targeted a parked car on Martinez Antongiorgi’s street, under the false belief that the intended victim was inside.

In the ensuing gunfire, another innocent bystander sustained injuries but survived. Although Connecticut man Robinson did not personally fire the fatal shot, he faced murder charges under the principle of shared responsibility for conspirators.

Prosecutors argued that the Connecticut man had orchestrated the deadly scheme, identifying the intended victim and assembling assistance to carry it out.

Central to the trial was the credibility of a key witness, Emily Dyer, who was Connecticut man Robinson’s former girlfriend. The defense sought to question her reliability as a witness, but the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, believing Dyer’s testimony.

One of Connecticut man Robinson’s defense attorneys, Donald Meehan, spoke to the Republican American of Waterbury, stating that the case ultimately hinged on whether the jury believed Emily Dyer, which, evidently, they did.

With the conviction, justice has been served for Martinez Antongiorgi and her grieving family. Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don Therkildsen credited the efforts of law enforcement in bringing about this outcome.

Connecticut man Robinson’s sentencing is scheduled for November 1, and he will face the consequences of his actions for the death of an innocent woman who was merely pursuing her hobbies in the safety of her home.

READ ALSO: Former Prison Officer Sentenced To Lifetime In Prison For Sexually Assaulting 13 Female Prisoners Over The Past Decade