Grand Rapids DFL organizer pleads not guilty in vehicular homicide

GRAND RAPIDS — A Grand Rapids woman facing a felony criminal vehicular homicide charge pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Nov. 26, in Itasca County District Court.

The plea is the latest in a year of legal moves in the case.

Cynthia “Cyndy” Martin, 65, was first charged last November in the July 3, 2024, death of 19-year-old Carter Haithcock near Nashwauk. Martin struck Haithcock with her SUV before driving away, allegedly unaware that she hit a person.

Since then, her defense has attempted to have the case dismissed, to suppress evidence or move to another venue, all of which were denied by Judge Heidi Chandler. The next step is a pre-trial settlement conference set for Feb. 23.

The case has been under scrutiny from some members of the public because of Martin’s prominent role in the DFL party; she is listed as the Itasca County DFL vice chair and Congressional District 8 chair on the organizations’ websites.

But Itasca County Attorney Jacob Fauchald said in a Wednesday interview that the case is “status quo” and moving at the same pace as any other under similar circumstances.

“With this volume of evidence, it’s really important that we iron out those evidentiary issues before we get to the trial stage,” he said.

“There’s nothing political that we’re accounting for when we’re dealing with this case. Folks have tried to say that this is politically motivated, and I’m not sure how. It’s all kind of absurd.”

Martin’s defense did not return a request for comment as of Wednesday afternoon.

Fauchald said his office’s position is that Martin would need to admit to the crime as charged.

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“We don’t really have a plea offer beyond her pleading straight up and facing the consequences associated with that charge,” he said.

The felony charge Martin faces for criminal vehicular homicide and leaving the scene carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $20,000 or both.

“Under those circumstances, it’s not unusual for defendants to roll the dice, so to speak, and go to trial, knowing that the outcome that they would face at trial is similar to what we’re offering for resolution,” Fauchald said.

Martin is currently out on bail, which was set at $100,000 for conditional release. She must make all court appearances, remain law-abiding and keep in contact with her attorney.

Fauchald said there may be more legal maneuvering before the trial. Martin’s defense attempted to move the trial out of Itasca County based on the amount of publicity the case has received.

“That issue may yet still be re-litigated based on things that may happen between now and trial,” he said.