Jason Futch
Reporter2@riverbendnews.org
A Live Oak man was charged with allegedly killing his father and critically injuring his mother on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Gene Roger Desmartin, 47, faces charges of homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated battery and resisting arrest following a call that was made to Suwannee County dispatch at approximately 10:10 p.m.
According to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) arrest report, an unknown caller, later identified as Desmartin, told dispatch he needed to speak with the US Department of the Treasury. After he called a second time, Deputy Derrick Parker drove to the residence on 81st Road in McAlpin, where the call was made.
There, he encountered Desmartin outside in a white 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, reiterating his need to speak to the treasury department. After a brief exchange, Deputy Parker asked Desmartin to lead him inside the house to meet his parents. Desmartin had said they were talking to each other but wasn’t sure if they “were still there.”
When Deputy Parker entered the house with Desmartin, he detected the strong odor of bleach. As he was led to the living room, Deputy Parker observed Desmartin’s father sitting upright on the couch. The report states he was unresponsive and covered in blood with alleged stab wounds to his neck. In an adjacent love seat, Deputy Parker observed Desmartin’s mother lying down, also covered in blood, with blunt force trauma to her face.
According to the report, Deputy Parker removed Desmartin from the home to discuss the 911 calls. At this time, Desmartin became resistant following Deputy Parker’s attempt to detain him and returned to the Chevrolet Colorado. Eventually, Deputy Parker managed to detain him as other deputies arrived.
Desmartin was transported to the SCSO Criminal Investigation Division, where Investigator Chris Lee wrote that he could not provide a consistent explanation for his parents’ injuries; Desmartin simply claimed “bad people” may have entered the home.
According to the report, Desmartin told Investigator Lee he arrived home and found both parents exhibiting injuries, and stated he called 911 within minutes. However, in the report, Investigator Lee stated, “Based on the time frame and call log, the Defendant was with both victims for approximately one hour.” Desmartin also told Investigator Lee that neither he nor the victims had any enemies who would have reason to attack or inflict such injuries on them. The report further stated there were no signs of forced entry to the home.
When questioned about the strong odor of bleach, Desmartin said his parents had cleaned the house using Pine-Sol earlier in the day, but denied cleaning the house himself. However, Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime scene technicians discovered the presence of blood in a smearing/wiping motion on the countertop, in the sink, and in the bathtub. The kitchen sink also showed the presence of blood.
Desmartin’s father was declared deceased at the scene, while his mother was transported to Shands Gainesville for trauma alert. She was in stable condition as of Monday, Nov. 3, according to Investigator Lee. The SCSO continues to investigate the incident. Riverbend News will continue to follow the story for updates.