Martin Fight Results In Arrests

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Two people are under arrest in connection with a fight that broke out last month in Martin.

It happened February 4 on Stonecypher Road where authorities said two groups met, one group of adults and one group of minors.

Athens GBI Agent in Charge Jesse Maddox said a month-long investigation yielded warrants that were served on Thursday.

“We have made two arrests in reference to the incident on February 4th,” Maddox said. “The arrests are of 50-year old Darrin McFarlin of Martin and 23-year old Jared Coker of Martin. They are each charged with one count of aggravated battery and one count of cruelty to children in the first degree. Both are felony charges.”

Both McFarlin and Coker turned themselves in to authorities on Thursday.

Maddox said the cruelty to children charges stem from the fight being between adults and minors.

Though he said few details about the incident can be released, Maddox did say that a number of the minors were injured and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.

“One group of individuals was made up primarily of juveniles and the other group was primarily made up of adults,” Maddox explained. “Several people were injured and two factions of groups were there. Our investigation led us to determine who were the aggressors in that incident. I can say that as far as the injuries, no one remained in the hospital for an extended period of time. However, the injuries ranged from superficial to serious.”

Maddox said his office expects to make more arrests in the coming days.