Man pleads guilty of killing his cousin

A former Atlanta, Ga., man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and first-degree burglary Thursday for the killing of his cousin in Des Moines last September.

The jury trial of Martavius Lamon Green, 19, for first-degree murder began Monday, but the defendant accepted a plea agreement before the prosecution finished calling witnesses. He admitted to killing Tariq Reynolds, 21, on Sept. 1, 2024.

Mr. Green faces up to 35 years in prison and must serve a minimum of 10 years before he would be eligible for parole. He will be sentenced Feb. 18. His sentence will include enhancements for using a gun in the commission of the offense.

Mr. Green was living at his aunt’s home at 3400 S. Union St. last summer. Evidence showed that on Sept. 1, Mr. Green began arguing with a visitor to the home over sharing marijuana. After the argument escalated, Zariyah Reynolds, his cousin and the victim’s brother, asked Mr. Green to leave the house.

Soon after, Mr. Green came back into the house. As Tariq Reynolds stood between them, Mr. Green punched Ms. Reynolds in the face. Mr. Reynolds, who was more than twice the size of the defendant, put him in a “bear hug” and the two stumbled and Mr. Reynolds fell on top of Mr. Green, according to testimony. The defendant then shot the victim, who was unarmed, twice. Mr. Green claimed Mr. Reynolds was choking him and he was acting in self defense.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorneys Nan Horvat and Jaki Livingston, with assistance from Lindsay Scott. The investigation was led by Detectives Lucas Harden and Jeffrey Davis of the Des Moines Police Department.