Documents: Prisoner plotted to kill Justin Bieber
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - An imprisoned man whose infatuation with Justin Bieber included a tattoo of the pop star on his leg has told investigators in New Mexico he hatched a plot to kill the singer, according to documents recently filed in a New Mexico court.
An affidavit filed in Las Cruces said Dana Martin told investigators he persuaded a man he met in prison and the man's nephew to kill Bieber, along with Bieber's personal bodyguard and two others not connected to the pop star.
The plot contained several gruesome details. Investigators say the plotters wanted to castrate two of the victims with hedge clippers before traveling to New York City to find Bieber. The targets of the castration plot were not connected to Bieber, authorities say, and it doesn't appear that the pop singer was ever in immediate danger of falling victim to the plot.
Martin, a Vermont man who is serving two life sentences for the 2000 killing of a 15-year-old girl, said he was angry at Bieber because he didn't respond to any of his letters. "This perceived slight made Mr. Martin upset and that, coupled with Mr. Martin's perception of being a 'nobody' in prison, led him to begin plotting the kidnap and murder of Victim 3," court documents said.
The documents identified Victim 3 as "J.B.," which New Mexico State Police spokesman Lt. Robert McDonald later confirmed was Justin Bieber.
Martin told investigators that Mark Staake and Tanner D. Ruane headed from New Mexico to the East Coast, planning to be near a Bieber concert scheduled in New York City after killing and castrating two others. They missed a turn and crossed into Canada from Vermont. Staake was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Ruane was arrested later.
Court documents say Martin told investigators that Bieber was the "ultimate target."
New York State Police said Thursday that troopers recovered tools and documents associated with the conspiracy while executing a search warrant on Ruane's vehicle. Among the items found by troopers were a "hand-written drawing of a depiction of Justin Bieber."
Staake, 41, of Albuquerque, has been charged with two counts each of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in connection to the plan.
Ruane, 23, Staake's nephew, also is facing multiple charges related to the plot.
Clinton Norris, of the New Mexico State Police investigations bureau in Las Cruces, said in an affidavit that Martin instructed the suspects to strangle the two first intended targets with paisley neckties, the same kind used in his 2000 murder case. The documents do not give details on how they were to kill Bieber.
McDonald declined to say if any of the murder charges are linked to Bieber. "That is part of the ongoing investigation," he said.
Bieber's management issued a statement that said, "we take every precaution to protect and insure the safety of Justin and his fans."
It was not immediately known if the suspects had defense lawyers.
An affidavit filed in Las Cruces said Dana Martin told investigators he persuaded a man he met in prison and the man's nephew to kill Bieber, along with Bieber's personal bodyguard and two others not connected to the pop star.
The plot contained several gruesome details. Investigators say the plotters wanted to castrate two of the victims with hedge clippers before traveling to New York City to find Bieber. The targets of the castration plot were not connected to Bieber, authorities say, and it doesn't appear that the pop singer was ever in immediate danger of falling victim to the plot.
Martin, a Vermont man who is serving two life sentences for the 2000 killing of a 15-year-old girl, said he was angry at Bieber because he didn't respond to any of his letters. "This perceived slight made Mr. Martin upset and that, coupled with Mr. Martin's perception of being a 'nobody' in prison, led him to begin plotting the kidnap and murder of Victim 3," court documents said.
The documents identified Victim 3 as "J.B.," which New Mexico State Police spokesman Lt. Robert McDonald later confirmed was Justin Bieber.
Martin told investigators that Mark Staake and Tanner D. Ruane headed from New Mexico to the East Coast, planning to be near a Bieber concert scheduled in New York City after killing and castrating two others. They missed a turn and crossed into Canada from Vermont. Staake was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Ruane was arrested later.
Court documents say Martin told investigators that Bieber was the "ultimate target."
New York State Police said Thursday that troopers recovered tools and documents associated with the conspiracy while executing a search warrant on Ruane's vehicle. Among the items found by troopers were a "hand-written drawing of a depiction of Justin Bieber."
Staake, 41, of Albuquerque, has been charged with two counts each of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in connection to the plan.
Ruane, 23, Staake's nephew, also is facing multiple charges related to the plot.
Clinton Norris, of the New Mexico State Police investigations bureau in Las Cruces, said in an affidavit that Martin instructed the suspects to strangle the two first intended targets with paisley neckties, the same kind used in his 2000 murder case. The documents do not give details on how they were to kill Bieber.
McDonald declined to say if any of the murder charges are linked to Bieber. "That is part of the ongoing investigation," he said.
Bieber's management issued a statement that said, "we take every precaution to protect and insure the safety of Justin and his fans."
It was not immediately known if the suspects had defense lawyers.
I don't wish the guy harm, yet he makes me want to break something when I see him on TV.
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I know he is some kind of teen idol but really, how can you look at that picture and not laugh. Us old guys just want to smack the kid and say "snap out it!" I stoled that line and bit from the movie "Moonstruct".
"Investigators say the plotters wanted to castrate two of the victims with hedge clippers before traveling to New York City to find Bieber. The targets of the castration plot were not connected to Bieber, authorities say, and it doesn't appear that the pop singer was ever in immediate danger of falling victim to the plot."
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Investigators also noted that Justin is smooth down there like a Ken doll. No castration was necessary.
Come on, how many of us have actually thought of offing the Biebs at one point?Â
Crying wolf...again. Remember his publicity stunt/advertising gimmick with the supposed theft of his computer after a concert in Tacoma?
Some plans should be let to run their course...
He looks so gay in this pic.
Am I the only one who read this and had a bit of a giggle when it was being read... I mean least no one was hurt but man this is comical
Jeez, dumb and dumber. Â The first guy for having Bieber fever/wanting him killed. Â The second for going left instead of right and ending up in Canada instead of NYC. Â I grew 70 miles from there, none of this comes as a surprise.
 @Doxie I knew we should've taken that left at Albuquerque...
 @MargeGunderson and then a right at Boise!
An imprisoned man infatuated with Bieber? Now that's creepy! And with a plot to kill him? Reminds me of Mark David Chapman! The only difference here is Chapman actually killed a legend who's music will live on forever, not a phony with 15 minutes past due. Just kill his career! That's something we can all benefit from!
Oh, come on now Zoso, you know that you will hear his music in grocery stores 20 years from now. He'll be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in no time. (moan)
 @SgtPepperSpray Kinda makes you wish the Blue Meanies put an end to music after all. Gues I won't worry about that after all, if the Mayans are right. ;)
Please let that man out of jail so he can do us all a favor. TIA
 @Shelly Well, kill his career anyway. But kill him? Really?
Haven't most of us felt the urge to kill Justin Bieber at least once? Or at least shoot the radio when one of his songs is playing.
More publicity set up by Bieber I bet, every concert he does there is some kind of Media worthy BS that happened. Hes gonna be a burn out in a year and turn to drugs.
He loves him so he's going to kill him. What's wrong with that statement or person saying it.
Ward, someone tried to kill the Beaver...
They are some seriously deranged people
 @Larry*X*K No kidding! One got Lennon, and another tried to go after Harrison. Just disturbing!
@Zoso @Larry*X*K Personally, I wouldn't put Justin Beiber in the same category as any of the Beatles.
 @ReallyRUSerious The only reason why I mentioned them is because of the disturbed fans who try to kill them or want to. ONLY REASON! ;) Like Beiber could ever be in the same leaque. LOL!