In the winter of 2016, the life of 36-year-old Donna Loraine Martin was tragically cut short in Flomaton, Alabama. On the evening of Friday, December 2, Martin was with Shannon Heath Bell, then 31, near the Pollard Boat Landing in Escambia County.
Around 6:30 p.m., a distress call was made to authorities about a gunshot victim in the Pollard area. First responders arrived at the intersection of Foshee Road and Highway 31 to find Martin suffering from a gunshot wound to her side.
She was quickly transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton, where she was pronounced dead.
Initially, Bell claimed the shooting was a tragic accident. He told investigators he was attempting to shoot a deer at night when a struggle over the firearm ensued with Martin, causing the gun to discharge and strike her. Based on his statement, Bell was arrested and charged with manslaughter and a night hunting violation. His bond was initially set at $25,000.
However, as the investigation into Martin's death continued, the case was presented to a grand jury. After reviewing the evidence, the grand jury returned an indictment against Bell for the more serious charge of murder in May 2017. Following the indictment, Bell was taken into custody by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, and his bond was increased to $150,000.
