Hearing will decide officer's trial for shooting incident

A hearing on Tuesday will decide if Decatur police officer Mac Bailey Marquette will face trial for the shooting death of Steve Perkins. This shooting occurred on September 29, 2023, in Perkins' front yard. Marquette is asking for immunity under Alabama's stand-your-ground law, which allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense under certain conditions. Marquette's lawyers argue that he fired upon Perkins because Perkins was pointing a gun at a tow truck driver and did not comply when Marquette identified himself as a police officer. However, video evidence shows that Marquette shot Perkins just one second after making this announcement and didn't tell Perkins to drop the gun until after he had begun firing. Perkins had a flashlight attached to his handgun, leading to confusion over whether he was posing a real threat. According to the law, an officer may be justified in using deadly force if they are in a place they have the right to be and did not provoke the threat. Marquette's legal team cites a previous case where a Birmingham police officer received immunity for using force while on duty. The hearing could either grant Marquette immunity, dismissing the charges, or allow the case to go to trial on April 7. Steve Perkins' brother, Nick Perkins, expressed hope for a fair outcome but mentioned broader concerns about the justice system's overall effectiveness. He emphasized the need for decisions to be based on facts rather than personal opinions. Marquette's mother, Jennifer Marquette, has urged her supporters to gather on Tuesday to pray for justice for her son. The Morgan County Sheriff's Office is preparing for the hearing to ensure the safety of those attending. The judge will determine if Marquette's use of force was justified before the case moves to trial, if necessary. Both sides can call witnesses to testify during the hearing.