“If their statement is not an apology for him (Tisdale) selling drugs to his own people, stepping on their neck just to get some 24 inch rims, I don’t want to hear that statement,” Martin said.
Tisdale’s family tearfully took the stand and said seeing Martin behind bars will help them heal.
“You took away a person who was so beautiful at heart,” Tisdale’s family said. “Words cannot express the hurt and pain you have caused. “
The shooting happened on March 26 during an argument between the two men. Investigators said Martin was sitting in his vehicle when he fired a handgun at Tisdale through the open sunroof while the victim was standing on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Tisdale drove off with Martin chasing him and continuing to fire, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutors. Tisdale lost control of his car and crashed into a tree on James H. McGee Boulevard where he was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency crews.
At trial, Martin said he shot Tisdale because he feared for his life.
Martin claimed the Castle Doctrine of self defense. The Castle Doctrine defines when someone can use lethal force to protect themselves in their home or property - including their vehicle. In Ohio, the law was approved in 2008 and updated in 2011.
Martin was found guilty June 14 of two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and one count of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises. Additionally he was found guilty of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.
Assistant attorney Lynda Dodd said Martin needed to be held accountable for his actions, “He will spend the rest of his life in prison,” Dodd said. “He earned that through his actions on that day.
Martin has been ordered to pay more than $7,000 in restitution to Tisdale’s family.
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