Smiley Martin, suspect in 2022 Sacramento mass murder, dies in prison, lawyer says

SACRAMENTO – An inmate who died in custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail early Saturday morning was identified by his attorney as Smiley Martin, one of three suspects charged in the 2022 Sacramento mass murder that left six people dead and 12 injured.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office reports that officers conducted a cell check at the 5-East 300 Pod around 2:15 a.m. and found an inmate unresponsive. Officers went in and began first aid, and jail medical staff also responded.

The Sacramento Fire Department took over rescue efforts, but the sheriff’s office said the inmate was pronounced dead at the jail.

Norman Dawson, Martin’s lawyer, confirmed that his client had died.

“Public defender Amanda Benson and I have been in touch with prison officials. They are conducting their investigation. They will likely not release any details until they have completed this process,” Dawson said in a statement. “It is extremely tragic that Mr. Martin died while fighting for his innocence in the preliminary hearing process.”

The sheriff’s office did not release Martin’s name, but noted that the inmate has been in custody since April 20, 2022.

The exact cause of death is currently under investigation by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.

Case of the mass shooting in Sacramento

Martin was one of three suspects charged in the mass murder in Sacramento in the late evening hours of April 2, 2022, that left six people dead. Dozens more people were also injured in the brazen shooting in the heart of downtown Sacramento in what authorities described as a gang fight between “multiple rivals.”

Martin, his brother Dandrae Martin and a third man, Mtula Payton, have all been charged with murder. All three are previously convicted felons.

The trial in this case is ongoing. The three suspects last appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on February 23.

Just weeks before the shooting, Sacramento County had agreed to pay Martin $7,500 as part of a settlement for a 2018 lawsuit in which he claimed a prison guard was responsible for an attack on him by rival gang members.