A suspect is in custody in the slaying of a 74-year-old man whose body was found in his ransacked home on New Year's Eve, Channel 11 News learned Friday.
The body of James Martin, a retired deputy sheriff in Ohio, was found in December by a friend who went to Martin's home on 10th Street in East Butler. Martin had been stabbed to death, investigators said.
Christopher Michael Cannon, 27, of Butler City, is charged with criminal homicide, robbery, theft by unlawful taking or disposition, access device fraud and criminal conspiracy.
According to the criminal complaint, the men emailed each other hours before the crime through Craigslist. Cannon allegedly sent a nude photo to Martin, and Martin gave Cannon his address, the complaint stated.
During the course of the investigation, officials learned that two of Martin's debit/credit cards were being used after he was killed. Multiple surveillance videos showed Cannon using Martin's cards, according to an affidavit.
Authorities collected evidence over two months and eventually found Cannon in possession of Martin’s credit cards and discovered blood in his car, the complaint said.
Officials said the crime scene was complicated. Investigators said there were security cameras inside and outside Martin's home, and those cameras were intentionally damaged.
Police said a motive remains unclear.
Cannon was being held without bail at the Butler County Jail.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former deputy sheriff stabbed to death East Butler home; suspect in custody (Jan. 2, 2017)
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