Former Decatur Police officer Mac Bailey Marquette's trial has been reset for Jan. 26, 2026, in Morgan County. The trial is expected to be lengthy, with over 60 witness subpoenas issued this week.
Marquette is charged with murder in the September 2023 shooting death of Stephen Perkins.
A video of the shooting was leaked, showing what happened when officers accompanied a tow truck driver attempting to repossess Perkins' truck. The footage begins with the initial 911 call from the tow truck driver and walks through the scenario until the shooting of Perkins, which is shown from multiple angles.
Marquette appealed a lower court's ruling in his "stand your ground" hearing. Marquette claimed self-defense in the Morgan County case. Circuit Judge Charles Elliott denied Marquette immunity. Upon appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeals ruled Elliott's decision was not made in error.
An attorney for the Perkins family said Perkins did not have time to comply with the police before he was gunned down.
After an internal investigation, Decatur Police chief Todd Pinion "determined department policies were violated," Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling said during a city council meeting on Nov. 20, 2023.
RELATED: Decatur Police Chief determines department policies were violated in shooting of Stephen Perkins
Marquette was denied immunity under Alabama's Stand Your Ground Law.
Perkins' family has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit.
RELATED: Stephen Perkins family files federal lawsuit in death case; Names of officers revealed
Marquette has pleaded not guilty.
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