By Michael V. Cusenza
The anticipated trial of a Rosedale pimp accused of fraudulently obtaining two life insurance policies in the name of a woman he allegedly would go on to murder, dismember, and attempt to claim benefits under the policies began this week in Brooklyn federal court.
Back in 2021, a superseding indictment was filed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Cory Martin, 36, with murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. Martin was previously charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and fraudulent use of identification.
As alleged in the indictment and other court documents, in March 2017, a year prior to Brandy Odom’s murder, Martin and a co-conspirator fraudulently obtained two life insurance policies in the victim’s name. They arranged for premium payments to the life insurance companies to be made by Western Union money order and by using a debit card in Odom’s name.
Photo Courtesy of NYC Parks
Martin allegedly disposed of Odom’s body parts in Canarsie Park with the assistance of his co-conspirator.
Odom and the co-conspirator were sex workers and Martin was their pimp.
In April 2018, Martin allegedly strangled Odom inside his 148th Road residence, and, over the course of several days, dismembered her corpse. On April 6, 2018, Martin had searched Home Depot’s website for an online listing for a “Dewalt 12-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw,” described as featuring a “powerful 12 Amp motor designed for heavy-duty applications.” Later that evening, Martin searched YouTube using the search term “how to insert blade for reciprocating saw” and “using reciprocating saw,” which he subsequently deleted from his cell phone.
In the early morning of April 8 and April 9, 2018, Martin disposed of Odom’s body parts in Canarsie Park with the assistance of his co-conspirator. On April 10, 2018, Martin conducted dozens of Internet searches for news articles, including “Search area expands after dismembered body found in Canarsie Park in Brooklyn.” Martin also accessed a Twitter post titled “Person walking dog discovers remains of woman in Brooklyn park.” The following day, Martin searched YouTube using the search term “exclusive interview of mother of girl found in park.” After Odom’s murder, at Martin’s direction, several unsuccessful attempts to claim benefits under Odom’s life insurance policies were made by his co-conspirator.
If convicted, Martin faces a mandatory penalty of life imprisonment, or possibly, the death penalty.
