Features
The Unkindest Cut
A bizarre case is unfolding involving three men who, authorities claim, were planning to kidnap, castrate and murder
The story has its origins in a New Mexico state prison near Las Cruces, according to Albuquerque TV station KRQE. That’s where Mark Staake met up with Dana Martin, who is serving two life sentences for raping and murdering a teenage girl in Vermont.
Evidently the plot was Martin’s idea. Martin “recruited” Staake, who, in turn, brought his nephew, Tanner Ruane, into the plan. The TV station reports Martin wanted the two men to go to Vermont and kill two former acquaintances of the convicted killer.
In a plan that could pass for a Hollywood movie script, Martin wanted the two men to strangle the victims with a paisley tie reported to be the convict’s “calling card.”
But there were bigger plans afoot. Martin is reported to be obsessed with Bieber. So much, in fact, that the convicted killer has a tattoo of the singer on his leg, according to KRQE, which says Martin told cops about the plot to castrate and murder the teen idol and his bodyguard.
It is not known why Martin told police about the murder plot.
During their investigation, police recorded phone conversations of Ruane telling Martin he couldn’t carry out the plan.
Ruane was arrested in New York and reportedly had “murder tools,” including pruning shears, in his possession. Staake was arrested in Vermont on outstanding warrants.