Charges against a St. Croix man who allegedly attacked his ex-wife with a fire extinguisher were upgraded this week to first-degree murder following a forensics examination.
Timothy D. Rodney, 45, was originally arrested May 8 for the attack on 58-year-old Iola Martin, who died four days after the attack at an off-island hospital.
Police had not released Martin’s name until this week.
Charges against Rodney also include first-degree assault/domestic violence, third-degree assault/domestic violence and possession of a deadly weapon during a crime of violence.
Rodney was re-arrested at about 6:50 a.m. Tuesday at the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility, where he has been held since his arrest May 8. His bail has been increased to $1 million.
Rodney was originally charged with first-degree assault/domestic violence after the assault, which took place early in the morning of May 8 at Cane Bay. Rodney, who is originally from St. Lucia and lives in Estate Two Williams, continues to be held at the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility.