Federal Jury Convicts Men for 2011 New Year's Day Robbery and Killing on Red Lake Indian Reservation

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court in St. Paul, a jury found two men guilty for murdering a couple on the Red Lake Indian Reservation on New Year’s Day 2011. Following a two-week trial, the jury convicted Geshik-O-Binese Martin, age 30, and Edward McCabe Robinson, age 28, both of Red Lake, on two counts of murder in the first degree, two counts of murder in the second degree, and one count of robbery. The jury also found David John Martin, age 46, of Columbia Heights, guilty on one count of robbery. A fourth defendant, George Allen Martin, age 24, also of Red Lake, was acquitted on all counts. On January 15, 2013, the four were charged in a superseding indictment.

Following today’s convictions, United States Attorney B. Todd Jones said, “This case is an example of the troubling levels of senseless violence our communities face every day. Thanks to the persistence of tribal and federal law enforcement, we are turning the tide against it. Our office is pleased with today’s verdicts and hope these convictions are the next step toward justice for the victims’ families and the community.”

J. Chris Warrener, the Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Minneapolis Field Office, added, “These convictions highlight both the cooperative efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved and the steadfast commitment of these agencies to the safety of the citizens of Red Lake.”

The trial evidence proved that on January 1, 2011, Craig David Roy and Darla Ann Beaulieu were killed while money and illegal drugs were stolen from Roy’s reservation residence. The bodies of Beaulieu and Roy were found in the remains of the house, which was destroyed by fire on that same day. Autopsies determined that both victims were killed as a result of multiple stab wounds and not the fire itself.

On February 26, 2013, Kevin John Needham, age 21, also of Red Lake, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. In his plea agreement, Needham admitted that he agreed to travel with Robinson, Stately, and the Martins to Roy’s residence, the intention being to take money and cocaine by force. Among other things, Needham admittedly stood in the driveway of the Roy residence during the robbery.

On November 15, 2012, Terin Rene Stately, age 25, also of Red Lake, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting robbery. In her plea agreement, Stately admitted driving the group to and from the Roy residence and waiting in the vehicle during the robbery. She also admittedly knew of the plan to rob Roy.

For their crimes, Robinson and Geshik-O-Binese Martin face potential maximum penalties of life in federal prison. They and David Martin face a potential maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison for robbery. Because the federal criminal justice system does not have parole, convicted offenders spend virtually their entire prison sentences behind bars. U.S. District Court Judge Donovan W. Frank will determine their actual sentences at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department, with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the State Fire Marshal. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deidre Y. Aanstad and Nathan P. Petterson.

Because the Red Lake Indian Reservation is a federal-jurisdiction reservation, some of the crimes that occur there are investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Red Lake Tribal Police Department. Those cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.