Campaign, petition launched to prevent parole for cold-blooded killer who murdered Carthage liquor store owner in 1974

A Change.org petition has been launched by the families of two murder victims, including James Stemmons, the former owner of the Airport Package Liquor Store in Carthage, to prevent the man who killed their loved ones from being freed on parole.

The parole hearing for John Steven Martin is scheduled for August 24, 2020 at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking.

At this writing, the petition has garnered 1,361 signatures.

This is not the first time the families have been subjected to the prospect of Martin being released. This is his ninth parole hearing.

The message on the petition details Martin's crimes:

On October 16, 1974, John Martin walked into Ron's Sinclair Service Station in Rolla, MO, with a revolver and robbed the attendant, Melvin Craft, of what cash he had in the drawer. Martin then forced Craft, along with the only customer, Leroy Spencer, to climb over a wall at the rear of the building - telling them to run for their lives. 

As they slid down the steep embankment, Martin shot at both men as if he were shooting game. Martin shot and killed Leroy Spencer. Martin shot Craft three times, assuming he was dead. Fortunately, Craft survived and was later able to identify Martin as the murderer. 

Thirty-six days after this robbery, on November 21, 1974, Martin and two other men (David Lynn Pugh and Leslie Allen Sanders) robbed Airport Package Liquor Store in Carthage, MO. Martin forced the owner and Carthage businessman, James Stemmons, into his own pickup truck and drove to a wooded area southeast of Carthage along the banks of Jones Creek. 

While Stemmons was allowed to relieve himself, Martin shot him three times at point-blank range in the back of the head, as well as his back – with his own gun. First using the shotgun; then, switching to the pistol. 

Martin took both guns and the $115 he had stolen from the cash register and left Stemmons on the forest floor. These are well-documented facts. Martin confessed. 

In both murder cases Martin entered a plea agreement and was sentenced to two concurrent life sentences. This convicted double murderer has the chance of parole. 

Martin's parole hearing is scheduled for August 24, 2020 at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking, MO.

By signing this petition you acknowledge that you wish John S. Martin, MO DOC No. 00027228, to continue to serve his life sentence in prison, not in our community!

PLEASE NOTE: THE PAROLE BOARD WILL NOT COUNT ANONYMOUS SIGNATURES, SO PLEASE SIGN ACCORDINGLY! YOUR INFO WILL BE KEPT BY THE BOARD AND NOT SHARED. YOUR HELP IS VERY APPRECIATED!

The petition can be found at this link.