Temporary gag order issued in former Decatur police officer’s murder case

Taylor Mitchell
·1 min read

DECATUR, Ala (WHNT) — A Morgan County Judge has issued a temporary gag order in the criminal case against a former Decatur police officer charged with murder in the death of Stephen Perkins.

Judge Charles B. Elliot has imposed a temporary gag order Friday in the case of former Decatur Police Officer Mac Bailey Marquette, who is charged with the on-duty shooting of Perkins in his driveway on Sept. 29, 2023.

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According to court records, the temporary order is in place pending a hearing on a permanent gag order in the case. That hearing is now set for April 8. The gag order bars out-of-court public discussions of the case or releases of information by the parties involved, including attorneys on all sides.

The gag order comes after a motion filed by the prosecution on Friday.

In its motion, prosecutors argued for a general gag order because the case has been subject to “great pretrial publicity” both in media and online. Stephen Perkins’ shooting death generated a widespread outcry in Decatur, with near-daily protests before Marquette’s indictment.

The Morgan County District Attorney’s Office charged Marquette with murder in early January for shooting Perkins during an incident involving a vehicle repossession.

According to court records, the temporary order is in place pending a hearing to discuss a permanent gag order in the case. That hearing is now set for April 8.

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