Up to date as of 4/4/2025 at 4:00 p.m. ET
The previous cop who was charged within the deadly taking pictures of a Black man on his entrance garden throughout a towing dispute simply obtained some extra dangerous information past his firing from the division. Now, his destiny lies with a jury.
As anticipated, ex-officer Mac Bailey Marquette tried to make use of his “stand your floor rights” and certified immunity privileges as legislation enforcement to exempt him from prosecution within the 2023 taking pictures loss of life of Steven Perkins. Nonetheless, NBC experiences that argument fell flat for him in court docket as Morgan County Circuit Choose Charles Elliott dominated towards the self-defense bit, writing that Perkins dedicated no crime on the time of the officers’ arrival on his property and famous that the cop was not allowed to be concerned within the repossession of Perkins’ car anyway.
Marquette was fired from the Decatur Police Division following the incident. Now, he’s is headed to trial in June so a jury can determine whether or not he was justified within the taking pictures.
What Occurred?
Marquette was recognized because the officer who responded to Perkins’ residence the night of September 29, 2023. Authorities say a tow truck driver referred to as the cops to report that Perkins allegedly threatened him with a firearm whereas he tried to repossess his truck. In residence surveillance footage from a neighbor’s home, Marquette is seen sneaking from across the again of Perkins’ residence because the tow truck tried to take the car once more. Inside seconds of seeing Perkins emerge from inside the house along with his firearm, Marquette introduced himself however shot him earlier than Perkins had an opportunity to reply.
The 23-year-old ex-cop was one among three officers fired in connection to the incident and a fourth was suspended. Marquette was solely on the pressure since 2020. Now, he’s going through a homicide cost.
Learn extra from WAAY TV:
Mac Bailey Marquette, 23, entered the plea Wednesday. He additionally waived his March 4 arraignment listening to.
Liz Younger, Marquette’s lawyer, launched this assertion Friday: “Officer Marquette was serving his group as a police officer on September 29, 2023, when he acted in protection of his life and others. We’re upset he’s being prosecuted for such a transparent case of self-defense and justified pressure. Officer Marquette adamantly denies any wrongdoing and his protection group will work zealously on his behalf.
Perkins’ household maintained in a earlier assertion that the automotive funds had been updated, which they stated means the car mustn’t have been towed.
Marquette beforehand pleaded not responsible to the homicide cost he faces.