Police, SBI continue investigating Reidsville homicide

By Miranda Baines

Published: July 24, 2008

UPDATED July 24, 10:06 p.m.

William Carl Sides describes David James Martin, 58, as the kind of man who would “give somebody the shirt off his back.”

“David was the most loving person. He had no enemies,” Sides said Thursday.

Wednesday morning, Sides found his best friend of 25 years brutally slain in the kitchen of Martin’s home at 123 S. Franklin St. in Reidsville.

“It was a very horrible thing. He died a violent death.”

Martin was stabbed, police say.

“I would say this was a particularly violent assault,” Lt. Wendell Neville said.

Sides said he could think of no motive and believed that the killing was a random act.

“He was the kind of person who couldn’t say ‘no,’ and someone took advantage of that,” Sides said.

If someone had knocked on Martin’s door and asked to use his phone, he would have allowed that person in, Sides said. He believes the intruder may have robbed Martin before killing him.

“From my understanding, his wallet was gone,” Sides said, though police did not confirm a robbery.

“We don’t have an indication that anything is missing,” said Neville. He said investigators have no indication of forced entry.

Sides visited his friend after receiving a call from Martin’s boss, who said he failed to show up for work at Reidsville Metal Works. Sides called police, who responded at 10:22 a.m. Wednesday.

Martin lived alone, but he had a wife and a daughter. They live in Greensboro, Sides said.

“I thank God that her or her daughter didn’t come in and see that,” Sides said.

Sides said anyone who would commit such a violent act would probably do it again.

“We do have some leads that we’re following up on,” said Neville. Reidsville police and the State Bureau of Investigation continue to investigate.

Reidsville police think the killing happened late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Martin’s body was sent to the State Medical Examiners Office in Chapel Hill for an autopsy. Evidence indicates a suspect was wounded at the scene, according to Reidsville police.

Martin’s death is Reidsville’s first homicide since July 29, 2007. That killing happened at Snead and Michael streets, only a couple of blocks west of Martin’s home on South Franklin.

“That’s a residential, church area. It’s not an area that stands out,” Neville said.

• Staff writer Miranda Baines can be reached at or 349-4331, ext. 35.

Originally published July 23, 6:32 p.m.

Reidsville police are investigating the death of David James Martin, and they are calling it the city’s first homicide since July 29, 2007.

A friend went to check on Martin, 58, of 123 S. Franklin St. when he did not arrive at work Wednesday, a news release said. The friend called police and reported a possible death. 

Lt. Wendell Neville, a police spokesman, said police responded to the home at 10:22 a.m. Wednesday and found Martin fatally wounded. Neville would not comment on how Martin died but said he was assaulted, possibly Tuesday evening or early Wednesday.

Police say there is evidence to indicate a suspect was wounded at the scene, but Neville would not comment on how.

Reidsville police and members of the State Bureau of Investigation were still at the Franklin Street house late Wednesday afternoon. Sawing and hammering could be heard from inside the home, and detectives were carefully examining the front door.

About 6:30 p.m., rescue workers wheeled Martin’s body, covered in plastic and mounds of white sheets, out of the front door and into a waiting ambulance, almost eight hours after authorities were first contacted.

Neville would not say if police had a suspect or whether the friend who reported Martin’s possible death was detained for questioning.

Jerry Carter, pastor of nearby Reidsville Baptist Church, said Martin was quiet and lived alone.

“We knew him. We would stop and talk to him, pet his dog,” Carter said. “He was never violent, or angry. He was friendly.”

Carter said he saw few if any visitors at Martin’s house.

“He definitely wasn’t a party fellow,” Carter said. “I just don’t know why anyone would do this to him.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Neville at 347-2343, Sgt. Keith Petty at 347-2338, or Detective Mike Austin at 347-2357. Crimestoppers can be reached at 349-9683.

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