Richard Martin
Detectives with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office have solved an almost 30-year-old cold case that left a man dead in Anderson County.
After continuously analyzing the case and working in collaboration with the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, detectives are answering questions about the Richard Martin case.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, now deceased Bobby McClain, is who detectives say was behind the killing of 24-year-old Richard Martin.
His mother, Ada Martin, persistently worked with detectives for almost 30 years, serving on the Anderson Crime Stoppers Board. On Tuesday, Sheriff Chad McBride and Martin’s family will held a press conference to detail the case and the feeling of closure that now surrounds the investigation.
Bobby Martin was found beaten along Welcome Road, near Interstate 85 on September 2nd, 1995,and died hours later.
For several years, there were many unanswered questions revolving around how Martin ended up on that road. Evidence shows Martin started the evening at what was then called “Nancy’s” along North Highway 81 and was later escorted out of the establishment.
Several witnesses stated they noticed a woman dancing with Martin, and Bobby McClain quickly becoming jealous. It was hours later that Martin was found unconscious on Welcome Road, an area within walking distance of a little over 2 miles away from Nancy’s Bar.
“Maybe we danced with the wrong girl, or maybe we said the wrong thing, most people have been in that situation, but most of us walked away with our lives,” said SSgt. Scotty Hill. “It’s not fair that Richard wasn’t able to do that.”
In the years following, McClain was interviewed by several ACSO detectives, and it was noted McClain was the last person to see Martin alive. During one interview, McClain casually disclosed several details about the crime scene and Martin’s whereabouts that only a personinvolved would have knowledge of.
When McClain went through polygraph testing, the results showed he failed.
The community took note of McClain’s aggressive behavior and that he was known to carry blunt objects in the event he were to get into a fight.
Autopsy results showed Martin was beaten and killed with a blunt object.
Over the years, detectives have met with the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office regarding Martin’s case. It was just recently the office agreed with our agency’s findings, undeniably pointing to enough probable cause to establish McClain as the murder suspect.
Sheriff Chad McBride and detectives have continuously worked with Martin’s mother, Ada, who has played an instrumental role in keeping this case and others alive in the county.
“Ms. Ada said it better than anyone, this is not closure it is only a conclusion to this part
of Richard’s story,” Sheriff McBride said.
