$150K Bail for Man Accused of Shooting Woman Leaving Church

Boston, MA - A man accused of accidentally shooting a woman as she left her Dorchester church was arraigned and held on a $150,000 bail Friday.

According to court testimony by the prosecution, 22-year-old James Martin Jr. was identified by Boston Police, who say video footage shows him firing several shots toward men standing near 651 Washington Street last Friday. A 52-year-old was sitting in her car nearby, just after leaving church, when a stray bullet grazed her forehead, according to police.

The bullets did not strike either man they were intended for, the prosecution said, according to a Suffolk County District Attorney's office press release, but one bullet instead grazed the victim who had just entered a vehicle near where the men stood.

Police reportedly matched the shooter in the video footage with Martin, and captured him after questioning and a brief chase.

Martin was arranged Friday in Dorchester Municipal Court on the following charges: armed assault to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building. He received additional charges due to prior convictions related to selling drugs, as well as assault and battery.

Although the prosecution requested a half-million dollar bail for Martin, Judge Serge George imposed a $150,000 bail under the condition that, if released, Martin wear a GPS monitor and stay under house arrest.

Martin returns to court June 21.