Double murderer gets two life sentences

Jack and Susan Martin’s friends and family vented two years of agony and fury this morning before Joseph Simlick was formally sentenced in Sutter County Superior Court for the couple’s brutal slaying in 2010.

Jack Martin’s sister, Jeanine Carey, called Simlick a “coward” and said she felt no compassion.

“I wish Mr. Simlick had just killed himself that night,” Carey told the court. “I hope the horror of what he did torments him and I hope his screams fall on deaf ears, just like Jack and Susan’s did.”

Simlick, 23, pleaded guilty in December to killing Jack and Susan Martin on July 29, 2010 inside their home at 2255 Mulberry St. in Sutter. Simlick stabbed the couple repeatedly with a 9-inch kitchen knife, then torched their home.

Today, Judge Brian Aronson formally sentenced Simlick to serve two life prison sentences with no parole. The sentence was part of a deal Simlick cut with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty.

Mark Martin, Jack’s oldest brother, said he was satisfied.

“I think it brings closure to everything” Martin said, “and gives everybody the opportunity to try and put our lives back together as best as possible.”

Kendall Wymore, the Martin’s daughter, had dated Simlick previously. Investigators said Wymore, who has since married, ended the relationship, which Simlick refused to accept.

In the days leading up to the brutal attack, Simlick slapped Wymore and confronted her more than once. Hours before the killing, Jack Martin left numerous angry phone messages for Simlick, demanding he leave Wymore alone, authorities said.

Much of the attack was recording during a series of frantic, chilling 911 calls from a cellphone.

Jack Martin’s body was found in the dining room. Investigators said Simlick continued to stab him after he was dead. Susan Martin’s body was found in the garage.

Simlick was arrested shortly after the killings and has been in custody ever since.

Wymore cried as Joseph Simlick left the courtroom for the last time.

“I’ll never know what drove him to do this,” Wymore told the court, “but, I have forgiven him and hope that he can forgive himself.”

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.