BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — The Kern County District Attorney announced on Wednesday that two brothers, Jahquan and Jaysean Davenport, were convicted of the killing and attempted cover-up of 27-year-old Ronneta Faye Martin of Rosamond in 2022.
On Feb. 27, 2026, Jahquan was found guilty of first-degree murder and setting her vehicle on fire in an attempt to destroy the evidence linking him to the crime.
Ronnetta Martin, 27. Photo courtesy of Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
Jaysean was acquitted of first-degree murder. He was convicted of arson of Martin’s vehicle for helping Jahquan cover up the murder.
PREVIOUS REPORTING: Human remains found between Mojave and Rosamond
On March 3, 2026, a Kern County jury also found several aggravating factors and past strikes to be true for Jahquan and Jaysean.
Prosecutors said in July 2022, Martin offered the brothers a place to stay at her apartment in Rosamond, and also gave them rides. On August 1, 2022, Martin drove them from Rosamond to Lancaster and dropped them off at various places. Later that day, Martin told Jahquan that he and his brother were no longer welcome at her apartment and needed to move out.
An argument happened in the car while Martin drove back to her apartment. Jahquan was seated behind Martin and pulled out a gun and shot her in the back of the head, killing her, said the DA’s Office. He then pushed her over into another seat and drove the vehicle out into the Mojave Desert to get rid of her body, said prosecutors. While disposing of her body, he poured juice over her body to attract animals.
While her body lay abandoned in the Mojave Desert, Jahquan kept the vehicle and went to get his brother in Lancaster. Then, they drove Martin’s car while covered in her blood to Inglewood. They abandoned the vehicle on a residential street and set it on fire, said prosecutors.
LA County Fire officials determined that the fire was intentionally set, and it was arson.
Following an extensive investigation by Kern County deputies, it was determined that Jahquan Davenport and Jaysean Davenport were among the last people to be seen with Ronnetta the day she was murdered.
Both brothers were also seen on surveillance video in the vehicle before and during the arson act, said prosecutors. Jaysean was seen with a bottle of lighter fluid as he left the scene.
From left to right: Jahquan and Jaysean Davenport. Photo: Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
The DA said, though there was enough evidence suggesting a conspiracy among all defendants to commit the murder, the jury’s verdict placed responsibility for the murder solely upon Jahquan Davenport, who fired the shot that killed Martin.
Martin was first reported missing out of Lancaster on August 1, 2022. Her remains were found on August 15, 2022, in Mojave.
“Jahquan and Jaysean Davenport went to great lengths in an effort to conceal a murder and destroy evidence,” stated Kern DA Cynthia Zimmer. “This crime crossed county lines and required a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation. Thanks to the relentless dedication of law enforcement and prosecutors, this verdict delivers accountability and honors the life and memory of Ronnetta Martin.”
Jahquan Davenport is set to be sentenced on April 1, 2026, where he faces 50 years to life, plus 11 years.
Jaysean Davenport faces 11 years in prison.
Third co-defendant Antone James was acquitted of murder and arson. She was arrested initially in September 2022, along with the Davenport brothers.