In the quiet community of East Butler, Pennsylvania, the life of 74-year-old James S. Martin, a retired deputy sheriff, came to a violent and tragic end in the final days of 2016. A friend discovered Martin's body in his home on December 30th after he failed to show up for a planned breakfast. The scene that greeted law enforcement was one of disarray, with the house visibly ransacked.
An investigation into the death of the well-respected former lawman quickly determined that he had been stabbed to death. The nature of his injuries suggested a significant struggle and a great deal of rage on the part of his attacker. As investigators processed the scene, they discovered that security cameras both inside and outside the residence had been deliberately damaged, complicating their efforts to immediately identify a perpetrator.
As the investigation progressed, detectives began to focus on the use of Martin's stolen credit and debit cards after his death. This financial trail led them to identify two men as persons of interest. Surveillance footage from local stores captured Christopher Michael Cannon, 27, and Raheem Rondel Archer, 23, both of Butler, using the deceased's cards.
Further investigation uncovered electronic communication between Cannon and Martin that had occurred just hours before the murder. The evidence against Cannon mounted when a search of his vehicle uncovered blood that was later matched to James Martin. Following the collection of this and other evidence over a period of two months, Christopher Michael Cannon was arrested and charged with the murder of James Martin.
