Mississippi Supreme Court denies rehearing for convicted Southaven Walmart shooter

JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi Supreme Court has denied a motion for rehearing filed by Martez T. Abram, upholding his conviction and death sentence for the 2019 shooting at a Walmart in Southaven.

The court’s decision, which came after its previous affirmation of the conviction, marks a significant step in the appeals process. Abram, also known as Martez Tarrell Abram, is on death row for the attack.

Abram was convicted by a DeSoto County jury on two counts of capital murder and one count of attempted murder. The trial, presided over by Judge Celeste Wilson, concluded on Dec. 28, 2022, resulting in two death sentences and a life sentence.

Abram, a disgruntled employee, shot and killed two Walmart managers, Anthony Brown and Brandon Gales, and wounded a police officer on July 30, 2019. He also set a fire inside the store during the attack.