Martae Green

Martae Green, a 26-year-old Black/African American man from Bellevue, Nebraska, was described by his family as a loving and caring person with a heart of gold. His life came to a violent end during the early morning hours of July 24, 2019, in a chaotic home invasion that left two people dead.

The incident unfolded at a residence on South 26th Street in Lincoln, the home of 34-year-old Audrea Craig. Green was one of several armed men who forced their way inside in an attempt to rob Craig of drugs and money. During the break-in, Craig armed herself and shot Green, striking him in the pelvis. Green returned fire, fatally shooting Craig in the chest.

Following the exchange of gunfire, Green’s accomplices fled with him and drove to nearby Bryan West hospital. At approximately 3:52 a.m., they helped Green into the emergency room but left before police could arrive. Medical staff attempted life-saving measures, but Green was pronounced dead at 4:37 a.m. An autopsy later confirmed he died from a single gunshot wound.

Investigators quickly connected Green’s death to the homicide at Craig's home, which had been reported to police just minutes before Green arrived at the hospital. Using surveillance footage from the neighborhood and the hospital, along with witness interviews, police identified the vehicles and individuals involved. The investigation led to the arrests of four men who participated in the deadly robbery.

The man who planned the home invasion, Rubin J. Thomas, was arrested along with the other participants: Jesse T. Foster, Sylvester LeBlanc Jr., and Charles Gresham III, who was Martae Green's brother. All four men were prosecuted for their roles in the events that led to the deaths of both Green and Craig.

In June 2021, the final defendant was sentenced, bringing the prosecution to a close. Rubin Thomas received a sentence of 40 to 52 years in prison for conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary. Charles Gresham III was sentenced to 35 to 50 years in prison, Jesse Foster was sentenced to 24 to 28 years, and Sylvester LeBlanc Jr. received a sentence of 12 to 18 years.