MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA: Martez Seay, a figure known for his involvement in a series of violent crimes during 2008 and 2009, has died while serving his sentence in prison. Seay's case gained attention over a decade ago when he confessed to multiple killings, avoiding the death penalty by pleading guilty to capital murder charges related to his crime spree.
This included admitting to conspiring to murder his girlfriend and leaving her paralyzed. Seay, described as a leader of a violent gang and portrayed as a "cold-blooded" killer on 'The First 48', died at the Limestone Correctional Facility where he was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, according to AL News.
Who was Martez Seay?
Martez Seay gained notoriety for his involvement in a series of violent crimes that occurred in the Birmingham area between 2008 and 2009. He admitted to killing five people during this period. He came from the notorious Seay family, where he was the eldest sibling.
Seay's two brothers are also serving sentences for murder, while their mother Yolanda was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the shooting of Kandi Hawkins. The Seay family's criminal involvement has attracted attention due to its multiple members' association with serious criminal activities.
How did Martez Seay die?
The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is investigating the circumstances surrounding Seay's death. He was found unresponsive in his cell on Monday, August 7, 2023.
He was taken to the prison's health care unit and pronounced dead by the attending physician. The ADOC's Law Enforcement Services Division is currently looking into the details of his death. The exact cause of his death will be determined after an autopsy and the conclusion of the investigation.
Seay was highlighted in a 2012 episode of 'The First 48', during which, his defense lawyer was captured on video acknowledging that Seay had made unsettling remarks in private. These comments included statements like, "I wasn't afraid to kill. I'm not afraid to die," which had a chilling effect on the lawyer and left an impression that lingered.
Martez Seay's confessions
In his 2011 plea, Seay confessed to a series of criminal acts. These included the November 2008 shooting death of Christian Callins during a robbery attempt, which led to the subsequent killing of his accomplice Gregory Shelton Jr. Additionally, Seay admitted involvement in the December 2008 shootings of Osmond Williams and Darrelle Sampson.
The former case was linked to a murder-for-hire scheme initiated by a drug dealer who accused Williams of theft, while Sampson was an unintended victim accompanying Williams during the shooting. Seay also took responsibility for the May 2009 shooting death of Lonnie Vaughn, whom he robbed of cash and a sports utility vehicle.
He also confessed to participating in a conspiracy to kill Kandi Hawkins in June 2009 to prevent her testimony against him in the Vaughn case. Seay organized it from a jailhouse telephone. She had been shot multiple times.
