Duval County Jury Finds Martin Guilty of Second-Degree Murder

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Cierra Martin guilty of Second-Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. With the verdict, Martin faces up to life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Anthony Salem will sentence Martin at a later date.

On June 12, 2023, officers responded to a shooting in the Arlingwood neighborhood of Jacksonville. The victim was found bleeding in the street and died on scene from a gunshot wound through his torso. Video surveillance showed the victim being picked up by someone in a dark-colored SUV. Just minutes before he was killed, surveillance video from a nearby convenient store showed the victim getting out of the SUV on the passenger side, going into the store, and then getting back into the car. The dark-colored vehicle turned onto Eddy Road and a single gunshot was heard.

Detectives found the car at a rental company; it was traded back in on June 19, 2023, by Cierra Martin. Cellphone and iCloud data showed Martin on scene during the time of the murder. Martin had screen recorded herself asking for the victim’s location through her Snapchat prior to the murder.  There were also recorded calls of Martin talking about the murder.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Leah Owens and Paige West.