Decatur city leaders react to gag order hearing, police leadership
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) – An obvious void in leadership; that’s how several Decatur City council members describe their police department after Friday’s gag order hearing at the Morgan County Courthouse.
During Tuesday’s city council meeting, members did not hesitate to share their reaction to the hearing in the murder case against former Decatur Police Officer Mac Marquette.
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“That was very alarming and disappointing, I don’t know really what other words to use,” Council President Jacob Ladner said, “It really impacted my thoughts on how we can really move forward.”
Marquette is charged with the on-duty shooting death of Stephen Perkins in September 2023.
The hearing included the testimony of several Decatur police officers, city officials, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigators. All were questioned about how a video containing police body cam footage and other evidence related to the shooting was leaked to the public.
During the hearing, Police Chief Todd Pinion and Lieutenant Joe Renshaw both confirmed a copy of the footage had been given to police lieutenants to show all Decatur police officers. Pinion testified police officials decided to share the video to answer officers’ questions and for training purposes.
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Decatur City leaders agreed that the hearing exposed a lack of leadership in the police department and said it’s preventing the city from moving forward.
“I’ve not been thoroughly impressed by what I’ve seen,” Councilman Kyle Pike said. “I’m very much questioning the leadership throughout our police department.”
Councilman Billy Jackson called back to previous comments he had made about Pinion’s leadership.
“I’ve said before that I do not think that Chief Pinion is the right person for this job at this particular point and I stand beside that,” he said.
Ladner suggested he should be held accountable if changes are not made.
“Let’s move forward and again if you don’t see something in a quick, reasonable timeframe of at least trying to move some things forward,” Ladner said. “If not, then y’all come after me. But give me a shot.”
Prosecutors want the gag order to be made permanent, but as of Tuesday, a temporary gag order is still in place.
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