Former Decatur police officer opposes gag order in murder trial
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) – A former Decatur police officer charged with murder is opposing the State’s motion for a gag order.
On Tuesday, attorneys for former Decatur Police Officer Mac Bailey Marquette, who is charged with the on-duty shooting of Stephen Perkins in his driveway on Sept. 29, 2023, opposed the State’s request for a gag order, and requested they lift the temporary gag order.
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In the State’s original motion, prosecutors argued for a general gag order because the case has been subject to “great pretrial publicity” both in media and online. Perkins’ shooting death generated a widespread outcry in Decatur, with near-daily protests before Marquette’s indictment.
The temporary gag order was issued in March of 2024 and bars out-of-court public discussions of the case or the release of any information by any of the parties involved — including attorneys on all sides.
Attorneys argue in the newly filed court documents that the State’s motion doesn’t have any grounds for the necessity of a gag order.
Marquette’s lawyers also claim that the prosecution’s request is “extreme and restrictive on the Defendant’s ability to properly investigate, interview witnesses and prepare this case for trial.”
The gag order hearing will be on Friday, May 17. His trial is currently set for October 21, 2024.
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