NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Deion Martin will know in just a few weeks whether he will face the death penalty.

Martin, 21, who is charged in the shooting death of Brenda Smith on May 15, made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon in Division II of New Madrid County Circuit Court.

Standing quietly next to his lawyer, Martin listened as Associate Judge Josh Underwood read the charges he faces.

If found guilty of first-degree murder, Martin could be sentenced to death or life in prison, Underwood said.

If found guilty of two counts of armed criminal action, Martin faces a sentence of three to 30 years in prison, and a first-degree robbery charge carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years or life in prison, the judge said.

New Madrid Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Lawson asked the court to set Martin's next appearance in about three weeks.

"The state will decide by then whether to seek the death penalty," Lawson said.

Underwood told Martin and the lawyers to return to court at 9 a.m. June 18.

Martin is accused of entering D and L One Stop in Parma, Missouri, as Smith and another employee were opening for business.

According to a probable-cause statement filed in the case, Martin, armed with a .22-caliber revolver, demanded Smith open the safe.

When she was unable to open it quickly enough, he shot her in the head.

Martin then ordered the other employee to give him some lottery tickets before fleeing the scene, according to the statement.

Law-enforcement officers identified him as a suspect when he attempted to cash in one of the lottery tickets Sunday at two businesses in Stoddard County.

Martin was arrested Sunday in St. Louis and returned to New Madrid County.

Lawson said the decision on whether to seek the death penalty in the case is based on whether it meets the statutory requirement of aggravated circumstances.

If the prosecution seeks the death penalty, Lawson said he will file documents with the court notifying it of the intention and to give the defendant and his attorney notice.

Pertinent address:

Parma, Mo.