In Decatur, Alabama, a courtroom was filled with tension on Tuesday as a judge listened to conflicting testimonies about a controversial police shooting captured on body camera footage. The incident involved a police officer named Mac Marquette, who shot and killed Steve Perkins, a Black man, during an attempted vehicle repossession on September 29, 2023. The case is complicated by Alabama’s “stand your ground” laws and the issue of widespread gun ownership.
Marquette, 25, faces murder charges after the fatal encounter outside Perkins’ home just before 2 a.m. The circumstances surrounding the shooting arose as Marquette was assisting a tow-truck driver, Caleb Combs, on a repossession mission. Combs had contacted police after Perkins allegedly pointed a gun at him during his initial attempt to repossess Perkins’ truck.
During the court session, body camera footage appeared to confirm officers’ claims that Perkins aimed a firearm at Marquette. However, a law enforcement specialist who delved into the incident pointed out that Marquette had opportunities to steer clear of the deadly confrontation altogether. Circuit Judge Charles Elliot evaluated arguments regarding whether Marquette should be protected under Alabama’s “stand your ground” law. This law offers immunity to individuals using deadly force if they are in a place they have the right to be and reasonably feel threatened.
The broader context of “stand your ground” statutes gained national attention following the 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin, spurring debates on race, gun rights, and self-defense. These laws now exist in over 30 states, as noted by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
During this incident, Marquette was one of three officers dispatched after Combs reported Perkins’ threatening behavior. Combs expressed unwillingness to attempt repossession alone without police accompaniment. The video from body cameras showed the officers stationed out of sight from Perkins’ front door when Combs returned with the tow truck. Marquette and another officer, Joey Williams, positioned themselves at the side of the house.
In a crucial piece of the case, attorneys pointed to a beam emitted by a tactical light on Perkins’ gun as seen in the video. This light beam determined the firearm’s aim as Perkins exited his house a second time. When Combs made another attempt to seize Perkins’ truck, the light reportedly indicated that Perkins aimed his gun toward Combs.
Footage from two officers’ cameras showed Marquette hurriedly confronting Perkins. Within seconds, Perkins seems to aim his gun at Marquette, prompting Marquette to shout “Police, get on the ground” before discharging his weapon approximately 17 times, resulting in Perkins’ death. Just before the shots, footage suggests Perkins raised his gun’s light away from Marquette, possibly indicating an attempt to surrender, prosecutors argued.
Judge Elliot did not review Marquette’s body camera video. Notably, Perkins did not discharge any bullets. However, his weapon was discovered with a “depressed trigger,” as reported by the state law enforcement agent investigating the shooting. This agent, Jamie King, stated the trigger’s depression time was uncertain, with the chamber found empty.
Reflecting on the shootout, Marquette admitted to investigators in a recorded conversation, “That was the most scared I’ve ever been.” King added that officers seemingly had “reasonable belief” that Perkins might use lethal force, necessitating an instantaneous decision. However, King questioned the need for the officers’ presence and suggested alternative tactics might have prevented the outcome.
While creditors can repossess a vehicle without court approval if a borrower defaults, Alabama law does require a court order if the initial seizure attempt results in a “breach of the peace.” Law enforcement remains prohibited from aiding repossessions without such authorization. Officers Christoper Mukkadam and Williams testified about their non-involvement in the repossession, claiming to only provide a “civil escort” to maintain peace.
Witnesses unanimously agreed that a breach of peace occurred during Combs’ original attempt to seize Perkins’ truck. King remarked that the officers “exceeded the scope” of their duties by intervening in a repossession lacking a court order.
The hearing attracted more than 100 attendees, some donning shirts reading “back the blue” in support of Marquette, while others wearing “#IAmStevePerkins” shirts sat with Perkins’ family. Nearly two years of community unrest and protests surrounding Perkins’ death underscore the tension in Decatur, a city of around 60,000 residents.
Judge Elliot will continue hearing arguments on Wednesday, and if Marquette’s immunity is denied, his trial is slated to commence on April 7.
