David Dene Martin was born on February 24, 1952, in Keene, Texas. His childhood was not widely documented, but as an adult he appeared to live a relatively normal life before his violent downfall. In 1973, after marrying, he relocated to Houma, Louisiana, where he became active in both work and community life.

Martin worked as a church youth counselor, gaining a reputation for being deeply involved in outreach programs. He held group sessions for troubled teenagers, conducted “rap sessions” on weekends, and even played folk songs for the youth. His involvement suggested a man outwardly committed to helping others and rooted in his Christian faith.

Alongside his counseling work, Martin took on various jobs to support his household. He worked as a maintenance man, carpenter, and door-to-door salesman, constantly juggling responsibilities to keep his family stable.

Behind this picture of stability, however, Martin struggled. His marriage was strained, and in 1977 he discovered that his wife was having an affair with Bobby Todd, the owner of the restaurant where she worked. This revelation shook him deeply. Already weighed down by financial concerns and family pressures, Martin became consumed with jealousy and anger. According to neighbors, he began talking openly about revenge. He even stole a firearm from an ex-convict and told people around him that he intended to shoot Todd.

On August 14, 1977, Martin arrived at a trailer in Bayou Blue, Louisiana, where 33-year-old Bobby Todd lived. Inside the trailer at the time were Todd, 27-year-old Terry Hebert, 19-year-old Anne Tierney, and 19-year-old Sandra Brake. Fueled by jealousy and rage, Martin entered with a firearm. Initially, Todd believed Martin was a robber and attempted to appease him by offering several rolls of money. But Martin had come with murder in mind. He shot Bobby Todd twice in the chest, killing him instantly.

Turning his weapon on the others, Martin opened fire repeatedly. Terry Hebert was shot five times, with fatal wounds to his back and chest, including bullets that pierced his heart. Sandra Brake was struck twice in the heart and showed defensive wounds on her wrists and arms, suggesting she tried to shield herself. Anne Tierney was hit six times, sustaining injuries to her chest, abdomen, and face. In total, Martin fired 15 rounds inside the small trailer, leaving no survivors.

The killings shocked the Bayou Blue community. A day later, on August 15, 1977, Martin was arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder. During his interrogation, Martin admitted that jealousy over his wife’s affair and his own personal struggles had driven him to commit the murders.

His trial began on April 3, 1978, in Lafourche Parish and lasted until April 11. The jury quickly found him guilty on all four counts, and on April 24, 1978, he was sentenced to death by electric chair.

Martin’s lawyers pursued numerous appeals over the following years. They argued that he had been under the influence of drugs and alcohol, compounded by stress from his wife’s infidelity and the emotional toll of having a daughter with a severe brain disability. The courts, however, concluded that the murders had been carefully planned and rejected claims that they were acts of temporary insanity. His appeals were denied at every level, including the Louisiana Supreme Court (1979), the U.S. Supreme Court (1980), and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (1983, 1984).

Two earlier death warrants in 1981 were stayed by last-minute appeals. By 1984, Louisiana had resumed executions at a faster pace, with six inmates executed within 13 months. Martin’s third death warrant was signed in late 1984, with his execution set for January 4, 1985.

On January 3, 1985, Martin’s attorneys and family members petitioned the Louisiana Pardon Board for clemency, citing his personal struggles and arguing that his crimes were out of character. The board unanimously rejected the appeal, clearing the way for his execution.

In the early hours of January 4, 1985, Martin was brought to the Louisiana State Penitentiary electric chair, known as “Gruesome Gertie.” He ate a final meal of sloppy joes and French fries, made no special requests, and declined to give a final statement. At 12:15 a.m., the switch was thrown, and Martin was pronounced dead shortly afterward.