JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of Wesley P. Marler, 69, of Bonne Terre, MO. Marler was arrested on August 30, 2024, in connection to the 1989 death of Jimmie Wade Martin, of Bonne Terre, MO. The investigation which led to Marler’s arrest was conducted by investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control and the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office.
On October 14, 1989, Jimmie Wade Martin was found mortally wounded in front of a residence, located in Bonne Terre, Mo.. Martin was later pronounced deceased from his injuries at a Farmington, Mo. hospital.
In December of 2020, members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, along with the St. Francois Sheriff’s Office, began a review of the investigation into Martin’s death.
After an exhaustive investigation, the case was presented to the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney and the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. On August 22, 2024, a St. Francois County Grand Jury indicted Marler with one count of assault in the first degree. On August 30, 2024, a warrant was issued for Marler’s arrest.
Marler was located the same day and taken into custody by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office. Marler was transported to the St. Francois County Jail where he is being held, with a $500,000.00 bond.
The above charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.