Trial set for man charged with murder, robbery in 2017 case

Caleb M. Soptelean, The Sanford Herald, N.C.
·2 min read

May 7—The trial of a man charged with murder and robbery from 2017 is set for May 13.

Kelvin Deshawn Smith, 32, of Sanford wasn't arrested in the case until Nov. 4, 2022, according to a court document. He was held without bond.

He is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and discharge of a weapon into an occupied property, all felonies.

Smith is charged with killing Martin Flowers, 26, of Tamarac, Fla., by firing a pistol into a white Kia Sportage SUV around 1:15 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2017 at 600 McIver St. The Kia was occupied by two men, a court document states.

Smith is charged with robbing Flowers of $500 in cash, a Rolex watch, two iPhones valued at $9,000 and the property of Feirious Martez-Damian Tanner, who was also in the vehicle.

Smith was indicted on Oct. 3, 2022. He allegedly conspired with Jacorey Rashad Edwards, 29, of Sanford in the robbery.

Edwards, who was also charged in the case, accepted a plea agreement on Sept. 9, 2022 and a first-degree murder charge was dismissed. Edwards has an administrative hearing set for June 10 at 9:30 a.m. Edwards was arrested at 3:17 a.m. on Nov. 9, 2017, according to a court document. He was also held without bond.

According to a court document, aggravating factors in the alleged crime include Smith violating probation and inducing another to participate in the crime and having a position of leadership or authority over another.

On April 17, prosecuting attorney Byron H. Beasley requested that Tanner be transported for the May 13 trial as a witness. Tanner, 25, is housed in a correctional facility in Bonifay, Fla., according to a court document.