Judge Stops Texas Man’s Estranged Wife From Starving Him to Death

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jun 19, 2014   |   2:43PM   |   Beaumont, TX

Yesterday, attorneys with Texas Center for Defense of Life (TCDL), a pro-life legal organization located in the Austin, obtained a temporary restraining order from a judge to protect the life of a man threatened by his own family. The order came from Judge Jeff R. Branick, the County Judge of Jefferson County, Texas in Beaumont to save a man’s life.

terrymartinAttorneys with the Texas Center for Defense of Life were contacted by Gary and Angela Martin, pastors of a church located in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  The Martins requested legal assistance from TCDL to save the life of Terry Dean Martin, Gary Martin’s 54-year-old brother.

Last Friday, Terry Dean Martin was admitted to Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas – Beaumont Campus due to complications associated with his kidneys.  On Sunday night at approximately 11:00 PM, Terry Martin’s heart stopped beating.  Martin was immediately provided with emergency medical treatment and is somewhat responsive but has not regained complete consciousness.  Martin is currently being provided with life-sustaining treatment including a ventilator, nutrition, and hydration.

Gary and Angela Martin immediately drove from Oklahoma to Beaumont upon learning of the news.  Terry Martin and his estranged wife, Debi Martin, have been separated for over nine years.  On Monday, Debi Martin, who lives in the Beaumont area, arrived at the hospital seeking to have all life-sustaining treatment removed immediately.  Terry Martin’s estate includes a 23-acre tract of land with a 2,000 sq. ft. home.  Debi Martin is believed to be the beneficiary of his Terry Martin’s $150,000 life insurance policy.

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The TRO signed by Judge orders the hospital to provide Terry Martin with all life-sustaining treatment for 14 days and prohibits Debi Martin and Lakrisha Winters (Terry Martin’s 26 year old daughter) from withdrawing life sustaining treatment.

A hearing is scheduled for June 30 in County Court of Jefferson, County, Texas at which time Judge Branick will decide whether Gary Martin or Debi Martin will make decisions for Terry Martin regarding life-sustaining treatment.

“Today we obtained a short-term victory in what may become a long-term battle to save this man’s life” said TCDL President Greg Terra.  Terra continued “it has only been a few days since Mr. Martin’s heart attack and we believe it is much too soon for life sustaining treatment to be removed.  We will fight in the Texas courts to save Mr. Martin’s life until he recovers and walk out of the hospital or until we have exhausted our efforts.”