Man accused of killing store clerk appears in court
A 21-year-old man has made his initial court appearance on charges that he fatally shot a convenience store clerk during a robbery in Parma. Deion Martin of Parma, was arraigned Wednesday in New Madrid County on one count each of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery, and two counts of armed criminal action. Investigators allege Martin shot 59-year-old Brenda Smith in the head May 18th at the D and L One Stop in Parma when she refused to open the store’s safe. Smith later died at a hospital. Martin was arrested Sunday in the St. Louis area. Martin remains jailed without bond and is next scheduled to appear in court June 18th.