DA Appoints Attorneys to Review Remy Case

The Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office has appointed two attorneys to review the case of Jared Remy, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Jennifer Martel in Waltham last week.

The DA’s office appointed former Essex County District Attorney Kevin Burke and current Norfolk County First Assistant District Attorney Jeanmarie Carroll to perform an independent review of the bail recommendation circumstances that led to Remy being released on a separate assault charge two days before the Aug. 16 murder, according to a statement.

On Aug. 14, a bail commissioner released Remy on personal recognizance following his arrest for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, according to Waltham District Court records. Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, during an Aug. 16 media briefing, said a restraining order had been placed on Remy, but it had expired on Wednesday. Remy also has a long history of violence.

“The bail recommendation on Wednesday was made based on totality of the circumstances, the singular count in that case, as well as conversations with investigating officers and Ms. Martel,” Ryan said.

In an interview on NECN on Aug. 20, Ryan said the DA did not seek to extend the restraining order, after consulting Ms. Martel. A DA spokesman told the Boston Globe Martel asked the order not be extended. 

The next day, Remy, the son of Red Sox television broadcaster Jerry Remy, allegedly killed Martel at their Waltham apartment. 

“Burke and Carroll will conduct a fact-finding assessment and review of the circumstances that led to the release of Remy following his arrest on August 12, 2013.  It will also determine if the office’s policies and procedures were followed in this case, and whether those policies and procedures are sufficient to adequately address the offender release issues which arise in domestic violence cases,” the DA’s statement regarding the independent review reads.

Burke’s prior experience includes crafting policies to help domestic violence victims while Caroll has experience in working with police and prosecutors to help abuse victims, according to the DA’s office.

“It is important to emphasize that while this review process continues, our focus remains on the prosecution of Jennifer Martel’s killer and our thoughts are with Jennifer’s family,” Ryan said in a statement.

Previous coverage: Martel's Obituary, Fund Established for Martel, Jared Remy Charged with Murder of His Girlfriend,