JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A man pled guilty during his trial to second-degree murder in the shooting death of his wife on Valentine’s Day in 2019.

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens said Marcell Martin, 48, was sentenced to 25 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC).

On February 14, 2019, Jackson police responded to a shooting in the 300 block of Alexander Street. When they arrived, officers found the body of Varga Mae McCray-Martin in the living room. She had been shot in the head, face and upper body.

Witnesses reported that the victim had been at a family member’s home with Martin that day, and the two got into an argument, which led to the shooting.

Investigators said Martin fled the scene in a black Dodge Charger, which was located a few days later in Panola County. Martin was arrested by deputies after he fled into a wooded area.

According to investigators, Martin was a convicted felon with prior convictions, including the sale of a controlled substance, possession of cocaine, and accessory after the fact.