Man accused in 1979 murder to be transported to Cape Girardeau County this week

Max Allen Ellison Jr., the man accused the 1979 killing of downtown Cape Girardeau businesswoman Deborah L. Martin, will be transported to Cape Girardeau County this week.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said Tuesday the date and time of the move will not be made public, for security reasons. His bond was set at $10 million; a Thursday hearing is scheduled before Cape Girardeau County Associate Circuit Judge Gary A. Kamp.

Ellison, 61, was arrested Friday night at his Nixa, Mo., home by Christian County authorities and U.S. Marshals and being held in that county.

Martin's body was discovered Sept. 16, 1979, by an employee at her Broadway shop.

A friend of Martin's told police Martin and Ellison had a money-making scheme and were supposed to meet to discuss it. Ellison denied killing Martin and a friend of his provided an alibi. After Ellison was later convicted on unrelated charges, he went to prison at Leavenworth, Kan. Between 1985 and 1987 he twice confessed to the killing, authorities allege he telephoned the Stoddard County Sheriff and said he killed Martin and took more than $80,000 from her.