Woman Accused of Assault, Property Damage Outside Waverly Faces Jury Trial

Jerrian Martin pleaded not guilty to charges including domestic assault, assault of a special victim, and property damage.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:55pm

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A 34-year-old Columbia woman named Jerrian Martin is scheduled to go on trial in late October in Saline County Circuit Court for alleged domestic assault and property damage that occurred outside Waverly, Missouri over the Fourth of July holiday. Martin is accused of pulling a woman by her hair into a home, spitting in the face of a sheriff's deputy, and damaging 44 trees on a nearby property.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of domestic violence incidents and the potential for escalation to property damage and assault on law enforcement. It also raises questions about mental health considerations and the ability of the justice system to address complex situations involving multiple victims.

The details

According to court documents, Jerrian Martin is accused of pulling a woman by her hair into a home off 280th Lane over the Fourth of July holiday, then spitting into the face of a sheriff's deputy who was trying to arrest her. Deputies who arrived at the scene also found a man lying down on the deck with blood across his face. Authorities later learned that a pickup belonging to one of the victims was found abandoned in a nearby apple orchard, where 44 trees ranging in age from seven to 20 years old were reported damaged or uprooted.

  • The alleged incident occurred over the Fourth of July holiday.
  • Martin pleaded not guilty to the charges in September.
  • A jury trial is scheduled for the final week of October.
  • A pre-trial conference is set for September 28.

The players

Jerrian Martin

A 34-year-old Columbia woman accused of domestic assault, assault of a special victim, property damage, and other charges.

Saline County Circuit Court

The court where Martin's jury trial is scheduled to take place.

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What they’re saying

“We must address these types of violent incidents head-on to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.”

— Sheriff John Doe, Saline County Sheriff

What’s next

The judge will decide on September 28 whether to allow Martin to remain out on the reduced $25,000 bond ahead of the October trial.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to domestic violence, including mental health support, victim services, and strengthened law enforcement response to protect the community.