Jesse Martin, 42, of Waynesville, North Carolina, was shot during a violent altercation on the night of June 15, 2021, near the corner of Railroad and Scates Streets and later died at Mission Hospital in Asheville. Born August 7, 1978, in Davidson County, Tennessee, Martin had spent most of his life in Haywood County and worked as a carpenter; family described him as a devoted father.

Authorities say the shooting occurred during a shootout involving Martin and two brothers, James Rhinehart, 41, and Troy Rhinehart, 39. The altercation was reported to stem from a dispute tied to a love triangle and one of the men’s wife. The Rhinehart brothers left the scene in an SUV but were located at a residence on East Street and taken into custody.

James and Troy Rhinehart were charged with murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling or moving vehicle, and were being held without bond. A joint trial for the brothers was preliminarily set for May 13, 2024. Does anyone have information about Jesse’s life in Haywood County or the events that night that could help the investigation?