A man who was already in custody for allegedly shooting and killing a man during a robbery outside a Popeye's Chicken was charged in the murder of the pregnant girlfriend of his alleged accomplice.
On Thursday Markese Martin, 26, was charged with the murder of Jasmine Williams, the subsequent death of her unborn child and the attempted murder of Williams' boyfriend.
Martin was initially charged in the shooting death of 42-year-old Kenneth Woods. On September 23, 2014, Woods was shot in the chest in the parking lot of the Popeye’s Chicken on the 4200 block of Broad Street.
Woods was taken to Temple Hospital by an unidentified civilian and was later pronounced dead.
On Sept. 27, 2014, homicide investigators issued a warrant for Martin for the shooting death of Woods. Police also arrested 20-year-old Megan Jones of Blue Bell, Pa. as well as 26-year-old Kord Rozier of the 1300 block of E. Price Street in connection to the shooting. Both Jones and Rozier were charged with murder and other related offenses.
Martin was also charged in the murder of Rozier’s pregnant girlfriend Jasmine Williams. On September 24, Williams, 25 and Rozier were on the 1600 block of W Nedro Street when a gunman opened fire. Williams was struck several times. She was taken to Einstein Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Williams was 8-months-pregnant with Rozier's child at the time of the shooting. Doctors delivered her baby girl but the infant later died at the hospital. Rozier was also struck in the shooting but survived after treatment at Temple University Hospital.
Family members told NBC10 Rozier planned to surrender in connection to the Popeye’s shooting prior to his girlfriend’s death. They believe Rozier was specifically targeted by Martin once he found out he was going to turn himself in to authorities and that Williams was an innocent bystander.
Police issued an arrest warrant for Martin on Sept. 4 in relation to Williams' death. At the time Martin was already in custody in connection to Woods' death.
Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police/Family Photo
