Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – A Salina man accused of shooting three people – killing two – and then carjacking a vehicle while high on the chemical known as "water" was arraigned on Wednesday in Onondaga County Court.
Martinous Hudson was arraigned on a nine-count indictment including two counts of second degree murder, one count of attempted second degree murder, three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and first and second degree robbery and third degree criminal possession of a weapon.
He will stand trial on Jan. 30, 2012.
According to Syracuse Police, the 28-year-old Hudson was in a mini-van with three other people smoking marijuana. Hudson was smoking a marijuana cigarette that had been dipped in water – a combination of PCP and embalming fluid.
Hudson allegedly began "ranting about the devil" and then pulled out his gun, firing on the three other people in the vehicle, killing 17-year-old Lavonna Hamilton and 24-year-old Maurice Miller, and injuring 24-year-old Eric Bellamy.
Hudson then ran to West Seneca Turnpike, according to police, and held a driver a gunpoint, stealing his car. He then drove to his girlfriend's apartment in Clay.
Double homicide leads to closer look at drug known as "Water"
Aug. 8, 2011
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- It started with a double homicide in Syracuse over the weekend and now it's led to a deeper look at a drug that seems to have found its way back onto the streets.
Syracuse police say the shooter in Saturday morning’s double homicide had a violent reaction to a drug known as "Water". Water is a cigarette or joint dipped in embalming fluid and spiked with PCP.
Authorities say they’re seeing more of it in recent years and a bill proposed to help combat the problem stalled in Albany.
Sergeant Bulinski says drugs are cyclical and PCP, the most potent ingredient in Water, is making a comeback in the city.
"We're getting more instances of police responding to somebody disoriented, standing in the middle of the roadway, standing on the sidewalk either naked or down to their underwear sweating profusely and that usually tends to be PCP use," Sgt. Bulinski explained.
Helen Hudson's son had his own brush with Water. She says it spans a dangerously wide age gap, "They're not starting at 15, 16, 17, they’re starting at 12, 14. So what if they went into a school and had been smoking this and had that psychotic break. What would have happened then?"
Often times, Water can lead to delusions, paranoia and in the case of Martinous Hudson, violent behavior. Police say Hudson went on a rant about the devil before shooting and killing two of his friends and injuring another on West Glen Avenue, where a makeshift memorial now stands.
Embalming fluid is what dealers use to "cut" the drug. A bill making possession of it a misdemeanor passed in the State Senate the last two years, but it has yet to be approved in the assembly.
Congressman Magnarelli's Office says the codes committee wants to change some legal language before sending it off for a vote in the next legislative session. For Hudson, such a law would only be a start.
The law would also penalize coroners or funeral homes found selling embalming fluid. As it stands now, embalming fluid can legally be bought online, or by manufacturers.
Liverpool man arrested for double homicide
August 6, 2011
SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) - Syracuse Police say 28-year old Martinous Hudson was high on the drug known as "Water" when he shot three people early Saturday morning, two of them died.
Hudson was charged with murder, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and grand larceny.
Shortly before 5:00 Saturday morning, police say he was in a mini-van with 17-year old Lavonna Hamilton, 24-year old Maurice Miller and 24-year old Eric Bellamy on West Glen Avenue.
Police Chief Frank Fowler said Hudson was smoking Water, usually a cigarette or joint dipped in embalming fluid. Three others were smoking marijuana. That's when Hudson started ranting about the devil, pulled out his gun and shot and killed Hamilton and Miller, according to the chief. Bellamy tried to unsuccessfully to grab the gun from him and was shot while escaping from the van.
Bellamy is expected to recover.
Chief Fowler says Hudson ran from the scene to West Seneca Turnpike, where he held a driver at gunpoint and stole his car. Hudson then drove to his girlfriend's apartment in Clay.
Shortly after 9:00 that morning, Hudson was dropped off at University Hospital for what he said was a stab wound. There, he accused Bellamy of the shootings, but police say he later admitted to the crimes.
2 dead, 3rd person injured in Syracuse shooting
2 dead, 3rd person injured in Syracuse shooting
August 6, 2011
SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) - An early morning shooting next to the playground at Atonement Lutheran Church in Syracuse left two dead and injured another. All three of the victims were under the age of 25.
Syracuse Police responded to the 100 block of West Glen Avenue shortly before 5 a.m. Saturday morning to find three victims with gunshot wounds. 17-year old Lavonna Hamilton and 24-year old Maurice Miller were pronounced dead at the scene. Both are from Syracuse.
24-year old Eric Bellamy of Syracuse was found shot in the back. As of Saturday evening, he is in stable condition at University Hospital.
Police say he should recover from his injury.
Neighbors say they heard shots and looked outside to see a white minivan veer off the road and come to a rest outside the church. They say they believe a young girl was shot in the driver’s seat.
"The investigation is still in the very preliminary stages. We're using all resources available to conduct the investigation and to find out which person or persons are responsible for this, so that we can bring them to justice," said Sergeant Gary Bulinski of the Syracuse Police Department.
Detectives are asking anyone with information to call them at 442-5222. All information will be kept confidential.
