On a cold February morning in 2013, the life of Anthony Martin, a 35-year-old African-American man, was cut short in his Milwaukee home. The events of February 4th unfolded inside a residence near 48th and Wright, where an argument with his girlfriend, 32-year-old Irena Moore, escalated into a fatal confrontation. The couple's dispute turned violent, culminating in Moore brandishing a gun.
According to Moore's account to the police, the argument had become physical.
She stated that Martin had thrown a candle at her, prompting her to retrieve a firearm. Moore claimed her intention was merely to frighten him, but in the heat of the moment, she fired the weapon, striking Martin in the upper chest. Responding officers found Martin deceased in a bedroom of the home. An ex-girlfriend and mother of his 13-year-old daughter, LaTonya Morris, arrived at the scene and spoke of him as a good provider for their child.
Milwaukee Police arrested Irena Moore in connection with the shooting. She was subsequently charged with first-degree reckless homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon. The criminal complaint detailed that after the shooting, Moore, despite being trained in CPR, did not render aid to Martin. Instead, she took $3,000 from a dresser before authorities were alerted.
Initially facing a more severe charge, Moore later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree reckless homicide in May 2014. In July 2014, a judge sentenced her to seven years in prison, followed by five years of extended supervision for her role in the death of Anthony Martin. She was given credit for 178 days already served.
