Victim: Darrell John Piedt
Murderer: Allan Martin, 17
Crime date: November 11, 1996
Crime location: Benton Township, Michigan
On November 11, 1996, Allan Gene-Reeder Martin, Jr., (dob 3/24/1979), of Benton Harbor at age 17, entered a gun/second hand store with an accomplice to rob the store. The owner,
Darrell Piedt, was confronted by the two robbers. Mr. Piedt made a motion to what Defendant thought was the phone. Defendant took his gun from behind his back, placed it to Mr.
Piedt’s head, and fired. As Mr. Piedt lay dying on the floor, Martin and his co-defendant took several firearms and left Mr. Piedt to die. The co-defendant pled guilty to armed robbery and received a 20 year minimum. Martin was convicted of 1st degree felony-murder and sentenced to life without parole.
Darrell John Piedt was born on May 31, 1921. He was 75 years old when he was murdered. He
left behind his spouse of 53 years, along with a son and a daughter. Mr. Piedt owned John E. Piedt & Sons gun shop and farm supply store at the corner of M-139 and Nickerson Avenue in
Benton Township.
