dme court

A Butler man accused of an armed robbery outside a business on Main Street argued that being a Black man led to “demeaning” treatment since being arrested.

Andrew Lawrence Martin, 36, allegedly paced inside and outside the E-Z Stop convenience store on North Main Street multiple times before the owner, Usman Azeem Chatta, walked outside and confronted him, Chatta testified at a Monday, Feb. 9, preliminary hearing.

Chatta said his staff reported Martin had been harassing both clerks and customers at the store for money for about a month before the Jan. 24 incident that led to his arrest.

Chatta said Martin had demanded money from a store clerk then left the store before Chatta followed him outside. Chatta said he told Martin he was calling the police. Martin then allegedly made a gesture like he was pointing a gun at Chatta through his coat pocket and threatened to kill him and put the “Illuminati” after him.

Chatta explained that, as a business owner, he found Martin’s behavior suspicious and was worried he would rob the store.

Police responded to the store and apprehended Martin without incident across the street from Dunkin.

Martin said at the hearing he felt the court process had been “demeaning.” He also requested an attorney other than public defender Terri Schultz.

Martin was initially charged with felony robbery, but the charge was amended to felony criminal attempt at robbery at the hearing. He was also charged with misdemeanor terroristic threats.

Martin’s formal arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 31 in Butler County Common Pleas Courtroom 2. He’s being held in Butler County Prison on a $100,000 bail.