Martin v. State

Derek Martin appeals his conviction for first-degree felony murder. He argues that the trial court reversibly erred in denying his motion for mistrial after previously redacted portions of his taped police interrogation were erroneously played to the jury. These portions of the interrogation had been redacted because they im-permissibly suggested that his co-defendants, and other unnamed witnesses, had implicated Martin in the murder.1 We reverse.

Factual Background

Martin’s sister, Roxanne, testified at trial that she, Martin, co-defendant Sasha Bowen, and co-defendant Jose Gordon were…