News News: Crime News: Local

Sword, bloody items recovered after attack that nearly severed man's arms

Ralph Martinez Jr., 33, was arrested on a complaint of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.
By Bryan Dean Modified: October 29, 2012 at 10:16 pm • Published: October 29, 2012

Police recovered a sword and bloody items from the home of a man arrested in an attack that nearly severed the arms of one of his friends last week.

Ralph Martinez Jr., 33, was arrested on a complaint of assault and battery with a deadly weapon after the Oct. 23 incident that left Broderick Wayne Townsend “cut severely from head to toe,” according to police.

A witness found Townsend lying in a pool of blood in his home at 741½ SE Brinkley about 11 p.m.

A police affidavit said he had “severe injuries to the point of near amputation of his arms, severe lacerations to his head, torso, legs, arms and feet.”

Townsend was treated for his injuries at OU Medical Center.

He told police Martinez attacked him with a machete after driving him home.

Townsend said the attack might have been prompted by rumors that he had fathered Martinez's child rather than Martinez.

Martinez was interviewed by police about the attack on Townsend, who he knew by the name “Wayne.” A neighbor told police Martinez returned home and said, “I went up there and - - - - ed Wayne up. Wayne's probably dead.”

Police got a search warrant for Martinez's home and found several items they believed had blood on them, items possibly used by Martinez to clean up after the attack and a “large curve blade sword.”

Martinez was being held Monday at the Oklahoma County jail.


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by Bryan Dean
Reporter

Bryan Dean is a breaking news reporter who also covers the military and open government issues for The Oklahoman. Bryan has worked at The Oklahoman since 2002 and has covered a variety of beats including local government. He is a native...

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