San Mateo Woman Accused of Beating Neighbor To Death Must Stand Trial

SAN MATEO, CA- A San Mateo woman accused of beating her neighbor to death with a baseball bat during an argument in July was ordered to stand trial for murder Thursday, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Brenda Martinez, 40, was ordered by Judge Elizabeth Hill to stand trial for one count of murder for the beating death of 66-year-old Ellen Mackay on July 4.

Martinez allegedly turned herself in to police and told them what happened at about 8:30 p.m., shortly after the killing. She told investigators that she had gotten into an argument with Mackay in her home in the first block of North Claremont Street. Enraged, she allegedly got a baseball bat and hit Mackay numerous times in the head.

Police responded to the home and found Mackay dead from head trauma.

Martinez remains in jail without bail and is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 7, Wagstaffe said.

— By Bay City News Service. (Image via Shutterstock)