New Leads in Martin Murder Case

(Bonne Terre, MO) The murder investigation into the death of Jimmie Wade Martin is being looked at again. A press release from St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney, Melissa Gillam's office indicates the prosecutor, in conjunction with investigators from the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department and members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, are going to reinvestigate the case after new leads have been developed. The release also points to new technologies and how they're expected to play a vital role in bringing forth new evidence. Records indicate charges of murder in the second degree were dropped a few days before the trial of the original suspect in the case, David Bryan White of Potosi. The charges are said to have been dropped due to a lack of evidence. White had turned himself over to authorities after Martin's body was found bleeding on a sidewalk in Bonne Terre and his death was announced. White told police in an interview he was walking past a saloon in Bonne Terre the night of the murder, October 14th, 1989 when he tried to help break up a fight. According to White three men began to chase him and he was forced to defend himself against their attack. Sometime during the incident Martin was struck several times in the head with a blunt object and died of the wounds.