ROANOKE, Va. – Updated Story:
The teen who pled guilty to shooting and killing 15-year-old Isaac Cunningham as he walked home from school in June 2024 learned his fate Monday.
Daydrian Martin was sentenced to 25 years.
“I hope that you’ll take advantage of the life that you have in the future. I sentence you as a serious juvenile offender initially, then to the Department of Corrections for a total of 25 years,” Judge Christopher Clemens said.
It was an emotional moment in a packed courtroom as 17-year-old Daydrian Martin learned his fate for the 2024 murder of 15-year-old Isaac Cunningham.
“We are not used to and we should never become used to children shooting children,” Clemens said.
Martin took the stand, answering questions about his upbringing and the murder.
“At the time this happened, were you in fact a member of a street gang?” His defense attorney asked.
“Yes sir,” Martin said.
Martin described growing up with abuse and negative influences, including pressure from his stepfather to fight.
“He’d want me to go to school and fight people who were messing with me,” Martin said.
The courtroom saw video of a fight between Cunningham and Martin that happened months before the shooting.
Cunningham’s mother, Kierston Cole, previously told 10 News that her son fought back in self-defense after being bullied.
Prosecutors also presented text messages Martin sent after that fight.
“‘We can go pull up on dude with the Taurus,’ - a Taurus is a gun correct?’” The prosecution asked.
“Yes sir,” Martin said.
“Back in March you were thinking about killing this boy?” The prosecution asked.
“No,” Martin said.
“Oh, so talking about pulling up with a Taurus isn’t talking about killing him?” The prosecution said.
Prosecutors revealed Martin fired 24 shots.
We heard from the mothers of both boys, each pleading on behalf of their children.
Cole described what she called unbearable pain.
“Him being gone, I just, I feel like I’m in a fog. Like I’m just existing, no longer living. As you can see, we have a lot of family here today. Those are all the faces of people he helped shine light on,” Cole said.
While Martin’s mom Latoya Banks asked the judge to give her son a chance to change.
“I want to apologize to Isaac’s family, especially his mother. Because I am a mother, regardless of what seat I’m in. When he made that decision, he was a child, thinking on the level of a child,” Banks said.
In the end, Judge Clemens called this a loss on all sides.
“This family is never going to get the chance to find out if their grandson is going to turn into a boxer, a MMA fighter, a dad,” Clemens said.
10 News spoke with Cole after the sentencing.
She tells us she is not pleased with the sentence.
She says she was hoping for at least 30 years, but that no amount of time will make this right.
Original Story
Daydrian Martin, the juvenile who pleaded guilty to the murder of 15-year-old Isaac Cunningham, has learned his fate.
Martin was sentenced to 40 years, with 15 years suspended, meaning he will serve 25 years. He must serve 10 years of probation after completing his sentence.
As previously reported, Cunningham was shot and killed near the Ferncliff Apartments in Roanoke in June 2024, just a month before his 16th birthday.
In April, Martin, who was tried as an adult, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and using a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story continues to develop