Justice has finally been delivered for a Checotah woman whose life was brutally taken over a decade ago. David Deval Martin, 40, of McIntosh County, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to life in prison — for the second time — for his horrific 2013 crime.
Federal and local authorities have emphasized that this sentencing reflects the ongoing commitment to securing justice for victims of violent crimes in Indian Country.
Federal Authorities Highlight the Gravity of the Crime
“The defendant in this case brutally murdered his victim in cold blood,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti.
He added that retrying the case and securing a life sentence demonstrates the Department of Justice’s unwavering dedication to victims’ rights.
United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma praised the investigators and legal teams, stating, “The defendant’s heinous crime was deserving of the life sentence imposed by the Court.
Their collective efforts were vital in securing justice for the victim’s family.”
Law Enforcement Collaboration Achieves Justice
FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater acknowledged the combined efforts of multiple agencies.
“Thanks to the work of the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the FBI, this depraved and merciless killer has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in federal prison,” he said.
“Today’s sentencing underscores the FBI’s dedication to working with our partners and achieving justice for victims of violent crimes in Indian Country.”
Case Background and Federal Prosecution
Martin was first convicted in 2016 for first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole following a state trial in McIntosh County.
After an appeal, the Supreme Court required the Department of Justice to prosecute him federally under the jurisdiction of the Eastern District of Oklahoma. A federal jury subsequently found him guilty in October 2024.
Shocking Details of the Crime
Court records reveal that on November 7, 2013, Martin viciously attacked the victim, a former romantic partner, leaving her with over 109 separate injuries to her head and neck.
Experts determined the assault took 20 to 30 minutes or longer, and the victim was likely conscious for much of the attack.
Hours before the murder, Martin had threatened her at a local convenience store by gesturing at her head in the shape of a gun.
Forensic Evidence Ties Martin to the Murder
Investigators collected crucial evidence linking Martin to the crime.
His DNA was found mixed with the victim’s blood at the front door of her home, and his fingerprints were discovered on a metal rod used to inflict the injuries.
DNA from the victim’s car steering wheel also matched Martin, confirming his presence and involvement.
Ongoing Custody and Legal Process
Martin will remain in U.S. Marshals Service custody while awaiting transfer to a designated federal prison facility, where he will serve his life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Trial attorneys Jared A. Hernandez and Brian W. Lynch from the Department of Justice’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section handled the prosecution.
The case marks the final indictment under the McGirt project, which partners federal and district authorities to prosecute murder cases following the Supreme Court’s McGirt v. Oklahoma decision.