CAPON BRIDGE, W.Va. — A Winchester, Virginia man has been charged with a weekend murder in Hampshire County.
The Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department was called to a home in Capon Bridge late Saturday night. There they found the body of Joesi Martin, 33, of Capon Bridge. The deceased victim was covered in blood and had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators were able to quickly link the murder to an investigation of a car wreck earlier in the evening. The crash happened around 9:30 p.m. on U.S. Route 50. At the crash scene police recovered drugs, two safes, and a .22 Magnum pistol which is now believed to be the murder weapon.
The crash sent the driver, Jesse Settle, 38, of Winchester, Va. to a Virginia hospital for treatment. Upon discovery of Martin’s body, Hampshire County authorities coordinated with Frederick County, Virginia authorities. Settle was arrested at the hospital and charged with first degree murder and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substances.
Investigators believe Settle travelled to Capon Bridge from his home in Winchester to confront Martin over an ongoing dispute. The criminal complaint indicated the encounter escalated and Settle shot Martin multiple times in the chest and head with a .22 Magnum pistol then fled the scene. Police believe Settle crashed as he was attempting to get out of town.
Investigators said they recovered evidence both at the crime scene and from Settle’s vehicle linking him to the crime. Martin’s body was taken to the state Medical Examiner’s office. Settle is in a Virginia jail awaiting extradition back to West Virginia to face the charges.
