Life sentence ordered for woman’s murder

NEW MADRID, Mo. — A 22-year-old Parma man will spend the rest of his life in jail for fatally shooting a store clerk.

Deion D. Martin was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for first degree murder, 30 years in prison on a charge of first degree robbery and 10 years in prison on each of two counts of armed criminal action. The charges stem from the killing of Brenda Smith during the robbery of D&L One Stop in Parma on May 18, 2015.

The sentences were handed down Monday afternoon by Circuit Court Judge Fred Copeland. Copeland found Martin guilty after hearing the evidence on Oct. 29, 30 and 31. Martin had earlier waived the right to a jury trial.

Family members of the victim and the defendant both addressed the court during the sentencing.

Teletia Prewett, Smith’s daughter, described her mother as caring, loving and a friendly person. “She was the glue that held our family together . . . I can’t begin to put into words how wonderful she was,” Prewett said looking directly at Martin.

Pausing to wipe tears away, Prewett recalled a 2015 conversation she had with her mother about robberies at the business. She said Smith told her she would cooperate with a robber’s demand, telling her daughter money wasn’t worth losing one’s life for.

The stress from her mother’s death resulted in her father’s death, according to Prewett.

“Because of you, I’m an orphan,” Prewett said, later adding, “look at the devastation you caused and all for $20.”

Prewett concluded her statement saying: “I pray my beautiful mother gets the justice she deserves and you get the sentence you deserve.”

New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Lawson read a statement from Chris Smith, the victim’s son. In his statement, Smith said Martin’s action changed his family forever.

“My life has been a living hell since my mother’s murder,” Smith wrote.

Erica Shephard read a statement from her grandmother, Helen Shephard, who witnessed the fatal shooting.

In her statement, Helen Shephard wrote that Martin’s actions have affected her everyday, explaining she is now taking medication for anxiety and to help her sleep at night. She stated she suffers from paranoia and fears being alone.

Kevin Gau with the Missouri Public Defender’s office again asked the judge to dismiss the case against Martin, citing his client’s youth. Copeland noted he was following current Missouri law and declined to dismiss the case.

Gau then called Moses Grayson to speak on behalf of Martin. Grayson, who is the pastor of the Pilgrim’s Rest Missionary Baptist Church near Canalou, said Martin and his family joined the church in 2008. He described Martin as courteous and noted he was a member of the choir.

Grayson said he didn’t think Martin had a violent nature.

Gloria Jacobs, Martin’s mother, sobbed often as she told the court about her son, calling him a kind and compassionate person. “It is not in his character to hurt people,” she added tearfully.

Martin’s sister, Hannah Martin, said her children consider Martin much like a brother and described him as a typical teenager.

During a recorded interview, Martin’s former band director, Edward D. “Butch” Owens, recalled Martin as “good kid” and a “quiet kid.”

Martin addressed the victim’s family apologizing “for the sorrow and grief I brought to your family . . . There are not enough good things I could say about Mrs. Brenda . . . She was friendly with everyone, black or white.”

He also apologized to Helen Shephard and to his own family.

“Obviously something happened which I wish I could change … I’m very sorry for that,” he said.

In making his ruling for life without the possibility of parole, Copeland explained he consider what Martin told police officers following his arrest in St. Louis. The judge noted Martin’s description during that interview and the testimony by the eyewitness matched.

“I know Mr. Martin is a young man. People have spoken highly of him,” Copeland said. “But all of us have to be responsible for our own actions.”

Copeland called for the 30 year sentence for robbery and the 10 year sentences on each of the armed criminal action counts to run consecutively. Those sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence.