Man charged in connection to February St. Paul homicide

Authorities have charged a man in connection to a homicide that occurred in February in St. Paul.

The St. Paul Police Department said DeMarea Clay has been charged in connection to the murder of 28-year-old Monique Robbins.

According to a search warrant in connection to the case, St. Paul police were called just before 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 26 on the report of a disturbance on the 1400 block of Arkwright Street. The caller told police that he heard the occupants of a neighboring apartment making lots of noise.

The caller said the male resident left in his vehicle but returned later and was believed to be dragging a body to the car.

When officers arrived, they were flagged down by Clay. The court document says Clay told officers he was trying to take Robbins to the hospital after she had a seizure in the shower.

While investigating at the scene, officers found a plate with "possible crushed up narcotics and a rolled-up currency bill," in the apartment.

The warrant says officers that viewed Robbins' body at Regions Hospital saw injuries on the victim that were consistent with assault.

During a Mirandized interview, Clay told investigators that Robbins had ingested a number of drugs and he believed she was having an overdose. He told police he then dragged Robbins down the stairs to take her out to his car, according to the court document.
The investigators interviewing Clay noticed he had multiple injuries on his knuckles.

The warrant goes on to say that a doctor who performed the autopsy said the injuries Robbins suffered are consistent with assault.

According to St. Paul police, any additional news regarding the case will be released by the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.