COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the death penalty for the man convicted of murdering a Warren man and kidnapping a woman during a robbery.

The court affirmed the death sentence for David Martin on Wednesday, just one day before Martin will turn 33-years-old.

Martin has been on death row since 2014 when he was sentenced by a judge in Trumbull County on convictions of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and tampering with evidence.

Investigators say Martin shot 21-year-old Jeremy Cole execution style and wounded Melissa Putnam during an attempted robbery in Warren in 2012.

According to investigators, after Martin tied up both victims, Melissa Putnam heard a shot then saw Martin standing over her.

Putnam put her hand over her face and said, “Please don’t shoot me in the face.” Martin said, “I’m sorry, Missy,” and shot her, according to court records.

The bullet passed through Putnam’s right hand and entered her neck, leaving fragments in the right side of her neck near the base of her skull.

On the day of the sentencing, Assistant Prosecutor Chris Becker described Martin as a cold-blooded killer and a life-long criminal.

Among other issues, Martin's attorney questions whether an impartial jury was seated to hear the case due to pretrial publicity regarding the crime and Martin's association with a hostage situation at the Trumbull County Jail four months before his trial.

Martin is scheduled for execution on May 26, 2021.

The order from the Ohio Supreme Court and more information about the investigation may be seen here