A Washington state man has been sentenced to nearly 61 years in prison for ordering two teenagers to murder a 16-year-old boy, who had no involvement in the robbery that sparked the deadly retaliation.
Isiah Davon Martin, 31, was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and second-degree murder after the tragic slaying of Larry “Trae” Marshall III in March 2023.
The Robbery and the Deadly Retaliation
The chain of events that led to the death of Trae Marshall began on March 25, 2023, when Martin was robbed at a local mall. Seeking revenge for a crime he believed was committed against him, Martin recruited two teens, Davonte J. Pool, 17, and Vincent L. Bradley III, 16, to carry out the murder.
Prosecutors claim that Martin, in the days following the robbery, instructed the teens to find a target at Lakeside Landing Apartments in Tacoma.
Though Trae had nothing to do with the robbery, he was friends with the people responsible. Martin, seeing Trae walking to the apartments on March 29, decided to take matters into his own hands. Martin drove the car, made a U-turn, and parked near the complex.
Once Trae approached, Martin told Pool and Bradley to get out and shoot. The teens opened fire, unleashing 33 rounds at Trae before getting back into Martin’s car and fleeing the scene.
The Victim: Trae Marshall
Larry “Trae” Marshall III, a 16-year-old boy, was tragically killed in the ambush. Prosecutors highlighted that Trae had no involvement in the robbery or any personal wrongdoings against Martin, aside from being friends with the actual robbers and making fun of Martin online. This, according to Martin, was enough justification for him to have Trae killed.
“Trae, a 16-year-old boy, appears to have had nothing to do with Defendant’s robbery,” prosecutors stated. “Instead, Trae only wronged Defendant by claiming to be associated with the kids who had robbed Defendant and by making fun of Defendant online.”
Martin’s Defense and the Sentencing
During his trial, Martin testified that Pool and Bradley acted independently and made the decision to kill Trae in a “split second.” However, Judge Philip Sorensen, during the sentencing, pointed out that Martin, being the only adult in the vehicle, should have known better.
He criticized Martin for failing to act as a responsible adult and for leading the teens down a path of destruction.
“This community needs adults that will help kids see right from wrong,” Judge Sorensen said. “To me, this is the worst kind of betrayal to this community that we could have.”
Prosecutor Brad Hashimoto further emphasized that Martin was the only one in the car with the motive and responsibility for the tragic outcome. “Mr. Martin was the only adult in that vehicle, and he’s the only person in that vehicle with motive. He led these kids to do something terrible,” Hashimoto stated.
Sentences for the Teens
The two teens involved in the shooting, Pool and Bradley, were convicted and sentenced to 20 years each in prison for their roles in the murder. While they were minors at the time of the crime, their actions have led to life-changing consequences for everyone involved.
Trae Marshall’s Legacy
As the family mourns the loss of Trae, a GoFundMe page set up in his memory describes him as “smart, funny, charismatic, and an amazing athlete.” His family expressed that Trae was so much more than words could describe, highlighting the profound impact his life had on those around him.
Isiah Martin’s actions have left a deep scar on the Tacoma community, and his lengthy prison sentence reflects the severity of the crime. The murder of a young, innocent boy due to a retaliatory act of violence is a heartbreaking reminder of the destructive consequences of unresolved anger and poor decision-making.
As Martin faces his 61-year sentence, the community continues to mourn the life of Trae Marshall, whose potential was tragically cut short.
