Alleged Houma threat-maker gets ‘get-out-of-jail’ free card

A Houma man who made Facebook statements Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joe Waitz Jr. and his family perceived as threatening has been released from jail, at Waitz’s request.

Michael J. Martin, 50, was booked into the Terrebonne jail Oct. 23 on a charge of terrorizing with a bond set at $250,000.

He was released Oct. 30, but the charge is still pending.

Waitz said he requested the release after learning that Martin’s wife was having difficulty caring for their 3-year-old daughter, after an investigation determined that no risk to the family or to Waitz and his family existed.

“I felt sorry for him,” the district attorney said, emphasizing that the charge has not been dropped and that Martin must still appear in court.

Martin says it was not his intent to cause alarm and that his statement on the social networking site suggestion that if Waitz’s son were to become an attorney “that will be another dead lawyer” referred to a William Shakespeare quote.

Martin has expressed animosity in the past toward Waitz and other members of the local bar, arising from his inability to sustain a claim against a local eye doctor.

Martin, who has suffered ocular damage, can no longer work. He used to repair air conditioning systems.

Waitz has not yet indicated whether Martin’s case will be handled by another office, or the Attorney General.

Martin was arrested after Louisiana State Police investigators looked into a complaint about him that Waitz made to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.

They found probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant, which was issued by District Court Judge Timothy Ellender.

Contacted prior to Election Day, Martin, who said he is a supporter of attorney Doug Greenburg, who challenged Waitz for his position, said the largesse would not alter his opinion.

“Just because I was set free doesn’t mean I’m voting for that person,” he said.