David Deval Martin, 40, from McIntosh County, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2013 murder of a woman from Checotah. This is the second time Martin has received a life sentence for this crime.
Martin was initially convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole by a state jury in 2016. However, his conviction was vacated following the Supreme Court's decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which determined that crimes involving Native Americans on tribal land fall under federal jurisdiction if they occur within reservation boundaries. As Martin is a member of a federally recognized tribe and the crime occurred within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation, he was retried in federal court. In October 2024, a federal jury found him guilty of Murder in Indian Country.
Court documents revealed that on November 7, 2013, Martin beat and stabbed his former partner more than 109 times on her head and neck. The medical examiner estimated that inflicting these injuries took at least 20 to 30 minutes and that the victim was likely conscious for much of the attack. Witnesses saw Martin threatening the victim at a convenience store hours before her death.
Investigators found Martin’s DNA mixed with the victim’s blood at the scene and recovered his fingerprint on a metal rod used in the assault. His DNA was also discovered on the steering wheel of the victim’s abandoned car.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti stated: “The defendant in this case brutally murdered his victim in cold blood. By retrying the case and securing a life sentence for the Defendant, the Department of Justice has demonstrated our commitment to seeking justice for the victims of violent crime in Indian Country.”
United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma commented: “The defendant’s heinous crime was deserving of the life sentence imposed by the Court. I am grateful for the thorough work of investigators and the skilled presentation of the evidence by colleagues from the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. Their collective efforts were vital in securing justice for the victim’s family.”
FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater said: “Thanks to the work of the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS), U.S. Attorney’s Office, and FBI Oklahoma City, this depraved and merciless killer has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in federal prison. Today’s sentencing underscores the FBI’s dedication to working with our partners and achieving justice for victims of violent crimes in Indian Country.”
Hunter McKee from OSBI added: “The OSBI appreciates the great work conducted by our law enforcement partners throughout this investigation. Obtaining justice for the victim and their family is crucial for all agencies involved. We are thankful for everyone’s dedication and commitment.”
Martin will remain under U.S. Marshals Service custody until he is transferred to a federal prison facility where he will serve his life sentence without parole.
Trial Attorneys Jared A. Hernandez and Brian W. Lynch represented the United States in court proceedings related to this case.
This case marks one of several prosecuted as part of efforts following McGirt v. Oklahoma to address serious crimes committed within tribal reservations through cooperation between federal authorities and local jurisdictions.
