Jury finds pro boxer Christy Martin's ex-husband guilty of attempted murder

James Martin shot, stabbed then-wife in 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. – A jury on Friday found James Martin, the ex-husband of pro boxer Christy Martin, guilty of attempted second-degree murder.

Martin, 68, was found guilty of all counts against him, including aggravated battery.

Martin, who faces up to life in prison, will be sentenced on June 26.

Local 6 spoke to Christy Martin, who said she was anxious to hear the verdict.

"I thought it might be a little bit like waiting on the decision for a fight, but it was not even close, not even close," she said. Now that the trial is over, Christy Martin said she will return to boxing.

"The truth has proved and prevailed and we will now move forward from here," she said.

The jury began deliberations Friday morning and reached a verdict, which was announced around 1:45 p.m.

Martin shot and stabbed his then-wife in November 2010 after learning she was leaving him for a woman.

The jury heard closing arguments on Thursday afternoon, without James Martin's testimony. Christy Martin took the stand on Tuesday describing her ex-husband's attack and her relationship with her now partner, Sherri Lusk, who also testified.

Christy Martin said on the stand she didn't marry for love and the relationship was business-based for both her and James Martin, her former trainer. Christy Martin said she stayed with James Martin to protect her family from what she called "gay-bashing." Christy Martin also said her husband had threatened to release sexually explicit pictures of her to ruin her career.

The defense tried to show James Martin was defending himself against the boxer was much younger, more athletic and that James Martin had suffered a heart attack and a coma a short time before the incident. The defense also pointed out Martin ended a three year cocaine addiction that month.

"I was stabbed four times I was shot in the chest my calf muscle was almost cut completely from my leg," Christy Martin said outside of court. "I think when you compare injuries you can see there was no self defense."

James Martin had rejected a 25 year plea deal on Monday, saying that at his age, that would equate to life in prison.

Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this developing story.


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