It was simply after 3 a.m. within the heat Houston summer time of 2019, when first responders arrived at Renard and Patricia Spivey’s house and located 52-year-old Patricia lifeless within the closet from a number of gunshot wounds.
FIRST RESPONDER (bodycam): We can positively see a wound inside her stomach proper there.
OFFICER: OK. Will or not it’s the entry level?
FIRST RESPONDER: It — it seems to be prefer it. We do not know if that is the one one however that is positively one there. … No indicators of life.
Her husband Renard had a bullet in his leg. He instructed officers the 2 had been arguing and preventing over a gun when it fired.
OFFICER (bodycam): Where’d you shoot her?
RENARD SPIVEY: We was tussling — within the chest and the arm.
Renard Spivey, a sheriff’s deputy with Harris County, labored as a bailiff in courts and performed a bailiff on TV for “Justice for All with Judge Cristina Perez.”
Renard did not say far more about what occurred. Police detained him and had him transported to a hospital.
Patricia’s 83-year-old father, who suffered from dementia, was additionally dwelling with the Spivey’s. He was sleeping when the gunshots erupted.
PATRICIA’S FATHER: What — what occurred?
OFFICER: You did not hear something?
PATRICIA’S FATHER: Huh? … I have never did something.
OFFICER: I do know we simply want your assertion.
A STRUGGLE OVER A GUN
First responders on the scene puzzled how a gun may go off a number of occasions accidentally.
OFFICER #2 (bodycam): … when you get shot as soon as, you are not gonna make the gun go off once more.
OFFICER #1: That’s what I’m saying.
And why a person of Renard’s measurement — round six foot three and weighing round 290 kilos — would want to battle along with his smaller spouse to take management over a gun.
OFFICER #1 (bodycam): Saying you are that massive and also you’re preventing for the gun.
OFFICER #1: I do not know, however that was a giant dude. That was a giant dude. A giant dude.
OFFICER #2: He’s bought a bunch of trophies inside, bodybuilding trophies.
OFFICER #1: — simply gotta name murder. … it simply does not, it does not make sense, bro.
Patrina Marshall, Patricia’s daughter from a earlier relationship, arrived on the scene.
Patrina Marshall: Well, it was extra like what occurred? … Did my mother do one thing? Did Renard do one thing? … Like, did any person do one thing to them? Like, I did not know what to anticipate.
Marshall says an officer instructed her that her mom had died throughout a battle along with her husband.
Natalie Morales: When he instructed you she did not make it … needed to be very powerful to listen to that.
Patrina Marshall: It was. It was.
Natalie Morales: But you held it collectively.
Patrina Marshall: I feel, uh — I do not know. Something actually bizarre occurred to me. … I simply sort of shut down and every little thing simply grew to become actually numb. … I nonetheless haven’t cried.
Marshall says she regrets not seeing her mother for one final time.
Patrina Marshall: I simply did not get that. … And I’m like, man, so she’s simply sitting in that closet, simply the entire time. So oh, my God, I’m crying.
Marshall by no means thought her mom’s life would finish this manner. Her mom fell rapidly for Renard.
Patrina Marshall: It was like her first every little thing. … that was her first home.
It was Patricia’s first marriage, and Renard’s third.
Renard Spivey: When we met, I did like her. We kinda hit it off.
Evidence photograph
Five years after Patricia’s loss of life, Renard shared with “48 Hours” his emotions for Patricia.
Renard Spivey: … she—she was a enjoyable individual. She was spontaneous. … And she was only a stunning individual.
Renard had popped the query in 2013 after Patricia pointed at a hoop she favored at a retailer.
Renard Spivey: … proper there …the place the ring was – “come right here I wanna present you” — I proposed — bought on my knees and proposed to her.
Natalie Morales: She stated sure straight away.
Renard Spivey: She stated sure. … And we had enjoyable. … We celebrated in Hawaii.
And then they constructed their dream home — a 3000-square-foot house with a three-car storage. But inside just a few hours of Patricia’s loss of life, Renard discovered himself beneath suspicion for homicide. At the hospital, detectives needed to interview Renard, however he refused. He would later inform us why.
Natalie Morales: At that time, had you already gotten an legal professional?
Renard Spivey: I had a union rep who was an legal professional. … And he got here to the hospital. … Union rep stated, “don’t speak to them.”
Evidence photograph
While investigators tried to determine how precisely the taking pictures unfolded, the health worker was conducting an post-mortem on Patricia. According to the report, Patricia had a number of gunshot entry and exit wounds — the deadly shot piercing by means of her lungs and coronary heart. “48 Hours” advisor and former prosecutor Lisa Andrews reviewed the case for us.
Lisa Andrews: The a number of photographs is unquestionably what provides everybody a whole lot of pause as to why it isn’t an accident. … the health worker dominated it a murder … which is an intentional killing.
On July 29, 2019, Renard Spivey was charged along with his spouse’s homicide.
Natalie Morales: What was that like for you now being behind bars, for any person who had been on the opposite aspect of the legislation for thus lengthy?
Renard Spivey: It was—it was powerful. It was actual powerful … what I’ve been by means of, I would not want it on my worst enemy.
Renard’s twin sister Renee Spivey-Frazier says she discovered her brother was arrested when she bought a name from a relative.
Renee Spivey-Frazier: I simply could not imagine what I used to be listening to … as a result of I knew he beloved her unconditionally.
Renard’s buddy Gerald Graham, who Renard has mentored through the years, could not imagine it both.
Gerald Graham: He’s the large brother, the daddy, the uncle … I’ve by no means seen Spivey in any sort of altercation…. I by no means seen him increase his voice.
Renard Spivey employed outstanding prison protection attorneys brothers Dick DeGuerin and Mike DeGeurin, and Mike’s son Michael DeGeurin Jr.
Michael DeGeurin Jr.: One of the issues that we have been in a position to see on this case is they’d a digicam system of their house. … And I watched their relationship.
Dick DeGuerin: We needed to see if there was something there … to supply a motive for wanting her to be harmed or lifeless, uh, or that there was bother within the relationship.
Michael DeGeurin Jr.: It was very loving relationship, as I may inform.
Natalie Morales: But but, we all know on that night time, any person went to mattress indignant.
Dick DeGuerin: It regarded like she went to mattress indignant … he didn’t.
A TROUBLED RELATIONSHIP?
Forty-eight hours after he was charged with the homicide of his spouse, Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Renard Spivey posted $50,000 bond.
Renard Spivey: I used to be in jail in all probability like a few days …
He returned to the home he used to share with Patricia, the place investigators believed he deliberately shot her.
Natalie Morales: When you stroll in that door, do the reminiscences come flooding proper again?
Renard Spivey: Well, as quickly as you go within the door and you then go within the bed room, bam. It hits you.
Renard Spivey insists his spouse’s loss of life was an accident.
Renard Spivey: I like my spouse. I did every little thing for her. … Anything she needed. … I all the time handled her like my queen.
But Renard by no means gave an announcement to police about how the occasions unfolded that night time. And Patricia’s household questioned the circumstances round her loss of life and why Renard was free on bond. Cybil Shepherd is Patricia’s cousin.
Cybil Shepherd: I do not suppose that his bond was excessive sufficient for homicide. … being a sheriff, I feel he bought a whole lot of, uh, privilege in that occasion …
Patricia’s family members name her the caregiver of the household.
Patrina Marshall
Patrina Marshall: She was sort of just like the glue … her being gone, actually – is — is — you possibly can discover it, that she’s gone.
Cybil Shepherd: She did something that she may to assist individuals out. And you possibly can see that simply from caring for her dad, simply taking up that duty …
Patricia labored as an govt assistant for the Methodist Hospital in Houston.
Cybil Shepherd: She go go to individuals within the hospital … she would go take them meals, ship them flowers, if no one else was considering of them, she was.
Patrina Marshall: She simply was in all places, serving to, taking photos, giving her time … she’s actually social.
Dick DeGuerin: She was very completed …
Renard’s legal professional, Dick DeGuerin, says the Spivey’s had a superb life.
Dick DeGuerin: They have been very completely satisfied. They went on cruises collectively. … each Friday night time, they’d a particular dinner.
Natalie Morales: How would you describe Renard Spivey?
Michael DeGeurin Jr.: Yeah. I imply, the concept of a delicate big. … you possibly can’t keep away from seeing how massive he’s.
Renard has been a bodybuilder since his 20s. In the aftermath of his spouse’s loss of life, he was positioned beneath home arrest however was allowed to proceed along with his coaching.
Renard Spivey: Actually, throughout that time period, it was extra therapeutic for me ‘trigger I’ve been doing it for 40 years. … that is my love.
Evidence pic
He was additionally free to go to church and spend time along with his household. But he resigned from his profession of greater than 20 years with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. His TV profession additionally took successful.
Natalie Morales: At the time of Patricia’s loss of life, I perceive you have been nonetheless taping –
Renard Spivey: Yes.
Natalie Morales: — The “Justice [for All] with Cristina Perez” present.
Renard Spivey: Well, they — I’mma say earlier than that we have been nonetheless taping, then after that we did not do any extra taping.
Renard had portrayed the bailiff for 9 years and taped greater than 100 episodes. He instructed “48 Hours” it was one thing his spouse actually favored about him.
Natalie Morales: And what did Patricia consider your tv profession?
Renard Spivey: Oh, she beloved it. She was excited. And a matter of truth, I took her to a few Emmys.
Patricia’s childhood buddy, Ezra Washington, had a small half as an additional on that present and remembered assembly Renard when Patricia and Renard bought collectively.
Natalie Morales: You acknowledged him straight away from –
Ezra Washington: Oh, yeah.
Renard and Washington grew to become shut buddies, however over time — even earlier than Patricia married Renard — Washington says Renard was controlling along with her.
Ezra Washington: They have been at Pappadeaux’ Friday night time. You know, she had just a few, and he instructed her “do not drink no extra.” And she stated “Why?” and he was like “Cuz I stated so.” … And she dumped him.
The couple bought again collectively, however their issues hardly went away says Washington, and finally impacted Patricia’s relationship along with her cousin, Cybil.
Ezra Washington: He did not like Cybil in any respect. He actually simply hated her.
Ezra Washington: She allowed Pat to have freedom. … They have been going to … cruise yearly. And they celebration, have enjoyable, they usually meet individuals from different elements of the nation.
Cybil Shepherd: He positively felt, you understand, intimidated by the connection you understand that we had.
Shepherd says, after the couple bought married, Patricia distanced herself.
Cybil Shepherd: It was extra so attempting to only put that wedge, uh, between the 2 of us. And it labored. … I simply backed off from it. I did not need to come between any person and their marriage.
Patrina Marshall: It virtually appeared like he was jealous of her relationships that he already knew she had.
Marshall says her mother and Renard had no enterprise being married. She says their relationship grew to become strained as soon as they moved into their new home.
Patrina Marshall: They argued fairly a bit, fairly a bit.
Natalie Morales: What did she complain about with him?
Patrina Marshall: Mainly, it was … libido. … that he did not wanna sleep along with her. … possibly she thought he was taking steroids … as a result of his entire demeanor modified and his perspective in direction of her modified.
Natalie Morales: Like temper swings?
Patrina Marshall: Mm-hmm.
Natalie Morales: Lot of up and down.
Patrina Marshall: Yes.
Marshall says her mother regarded up a few of Renard’s drugs and instructed her she discovered proof Renard was utilizing steroids.
Natalie Morales: In the times main as much as the taking pictures. Did it appear to be issues had intensified?
Patrina Marshall: Yes.
Renard says he was by no means controlling with Patricia, however he does not deny there have been points of their marriage, and says they started a few month earlier than the taking pictures.
Renard Spivey: She thought I used to be … on steroids and stuff. And I attempting to get her to know that I — my testosterone was low and I used to be going to a health care provider.
Renard says a health care provider had prescribed him testosterone photographs.
Natalie Morales: But what in regards to the steroids, have been you taking steroids at the moment?
Renard Spivey: Well, that was the substitute. It’s referred to as — substitute remedy. That’s not steroids.
Natalie Morales: Did you are feeling like your moods have been up and down, too, in the course of the time you have been getting these photographs?
Renard Spivey: No.
Natalie Morales: Do the photographs have an effect on your temper?
Renard Spivey: No. Never.
Renard had already instructed police the 2 have been arguing on that deadly night time.
Renard Spivey: She thought I in all probability was dishonest on her or one thing as a result of we wasn’t intimate anymore.
Natalie Morales: And what’d you say to her?
Renard Spivey: I instructed her no, that is loopy.
Security footage within the Spivey’s house recorded a few of the couple’s actions.
Natalie Morales: … she is sitting on the desk at one level. You stroll over to her. What occurs?
Renard Spivey: after I walked over to her … I used to be on the brink of go to mattress and each time I walked over to her, she’d flip her cellphone down after which I used to be attempting to kiss her. She stated, “I’m not kissing you.”
Renard says he was curious why Patricia was hiding her cellphone from him. After they went to mattress, considering that his spouse was asleep, he says he grabbed her cellphone from her nightstand and introduced it into the closet.
Renard Spivey: I wanna see what she was taking a look at … and so after I grabbed the cellphone, I’m considering she’s asleep, I am going within the grasp closet, it is darkish. … and it wasn’t seconds earlier than, you understand, pointing the gun at me, gimme my rattling cellphone.
Renard says Patricia adopted him into the closet with a gun.
Renard Spivey: … after I rotated and noticed her finger on the set off, I used to be scared for my life. … When I rotated, she had the gun pointed at me.
SHOTS FIRED – BUT HOW MANY?
Tension between Renard and his spouse Patricia turned horrifying, he says —
Renard Spivey: I used to be actually scared ‘trigger … you by no means put your finger on the set off except you ready to shoot.
— when Patricia threatened him along with his gun.
Natalie Morales: Where do you retain your gun?
Renard Spivey: Uh, on the dresser.
Natalie Morales: So it is in your aspect.
Renard Spivey: On my aspect.
Natalie Morales: Of the mattress.
Renard Spivey: Yeah.
Natalie Morales: And is it all the time loaded?
Renard Spivey: It’s all the time loaded.
Natalie Morales: Don’t you speak any person down? Like in case your police coaching is to deescalate the scenario?
Renard Spivey: Well … I used to be afraid ‘trigger I’ve by no means been in a scenario like that earlier than … the most effective factor I knew in my coaching is to attempt to take the weapon away from her.
CBS News
Renard says he tried to just do that, and issues unfolded rapidly.
Renard Spivey: … after I grabbed her wrist, I grabbed the highest of the weapon. … she pulled again with a finger on the set off and it went off and shot me within the leg.
Natalie Morales: So you bought shot first.
Renard Spivey: I bought shot first.
Natalie Morales: Then … what occurred?
Renard Spivey: I used to be within the strategy of falling down and … after I attempting to take the weapon away from her, it went off a pair extra occasions.
Two extra occasions, he says. Patricia was hit within the chest after which hit by one other bullet in her arm as illustrated in a CBS News animation primarily based on protection idea.
CBS News
Dick DeGuerin: We’re sure that the primary shot that hit her … went into her, left chest by means of her lungs and into her coronary heart. We suppose that the second shot that hit her hit her in the best arm and went … principally out and in of the bicep after which into her higher proper higher chest.
But former prosecutor Lisa Andrews says it’s not sure that solely two photographs struck her. The health worker thought it was attainable Patricia’s wounds have been the results of three photographs — one to the left chest, one to the best arm, and a 3rd to her proper chest.
Lisa Andrews:— there’s a whole lot of controversy about what number of occasions she was truly shot.
Natalie Morales: … one shot is an accident. … three … photographs?
Lisa Andrews: Well, I imply, that is the query, proper?
Investigators poured over the house surveillance; three gunshots are heard clearly. But authorities suspected Renard truly fired the gun 4 occasions. Three bullets fired at Patricia after which one Renard would have fired at himself – wounding his leg to make it appear that Patricia shot him.
Investigators recognized one piece of sound heard over the alarm ringing.
Natalie Morales (listening to clip): Now this subsequent clip picks up … a faucet.
They say it’s a gunshot, recorded a few minute-and-a-half after the three different photographs.
Natalie Morales: Different sound.
Lisa Andrews: Different sound.
There is a purpose they are saying it sounds completely different than the others.
Lisa Andrews: … their idea was that, that sound — that fourth sound was a gunshot in a special a part of the home, and that was him taking pictures himself.
Renard denies there was a fourth gunshot.
Natalie Morales: That wasn’t you taking pictures the fourth shot –
Renard Spivey: No, ma’am.
Natalie Morales: — to then have –
Renard Spivey: No, ma’am.
Natalie Morales: — a canopy up story?
Renard Spivey: No, ma’am.
Renard’s attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Michael DeGeurin Jr. additionally listened to that surveillance tape.
Michael DeGeurin Jr: It just isn’t a gunshot.
They say the sound most probably is the press of one other digicam within the room being activated.
Dick DeGuerin: And … consider, there have been three empty cartridges that have been discovered …
But Lisa Andrews says there have been different issues that would level to Renard’s guilt — like his name to 911.
911 OPERATOR: What is your emergency?
RENARD SPIVEY: Uh, photographs fired.
911 OPERATOR: Is there an precise affected person there? Has somebody been shot?
RENARD SPIVEY: Yes, ma’am.
Lisa Andrews: He was fairly calm. … the demeanor does look fairly off to me.
911 OPERATOR: OK. Where’s the affected person?
RENARD SPIVEY: They on the ground … I’m shot too.
Lisa Andrews: “They.” …He does not say, my spouse or she. … It’s — an emotional step again from — from what has occurred.
It took Renard two-and-a-half minutes to say he by chance shot his spouse.
RENARD SPIVEY (to 911): … Me and my spouse had an argument. … I by chance shot her.
Lisa Andrews (listening to 911 name): It’s like he cannot deliver himself to say what he is performed.
Lisa Andrews: For him to not reveal that info … with 20 years of legislation enforcement coaching … to me, that was consciousness of guilt.
But Renard says he wasn’t hiding something.
Renard Spivey: Well, once you traumatized … And to see your spouse shot, and also you shot too on the similar time, it is loads.
Dick DeGuerin: Uh, you possibly can hear the pressure in his voice. So you understand he is in ache. … he was confused and, uh, in all probability going into shock.
But there are different issues on that tape that caught Andrews’ consideration.
911 OPERATOR: Since she just isn’t awake and never respiration, usually, sir, we have to carry out CPR on her.
RENARD SPIVEY: Huh?
911 OPERATOR: I stated, we have to carry out CPR on her …
Lisa Andrews: I felt this was additionally important. … I’ve little question he’s skilled in the best way to give CPR, carry out it.
Renard may be heard counting, doing what feels like chest compressions. But a short time later, the house safety cameras present Renard takes a break with out mentioning it to the 911 operator.
911 OPERATOR: You want to use agency direct stress to your wounds and her wounds, however we nonetheless have to proceed the CPR.
RENARD SPIVEY: OK, ma’am.
Evidence photograph
Natalie Morales: He’s on the cellphone with 911 holding a towel on his leg.
Lisa Andrews: Typically, once you’re performing CPR, you do not take breaks.
Renard says he went to unlock the storage door to ensure medics may get to his spouse as quickly as attainable.
Renard Spivey: I … got here proper again and proceed the chest compressions…
RENARD SPIVEY (to 911) : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Ma’am. (crying)
He is then heard breaking down.
911 OPERATOR: I’m right here Mr. Spivey. Just maintain going. … You’re doing nice, sir. If you possibly can proceed, please proceed.
RENARD SPIVEY: One, two, three, 4, 5, six, seven (crying).
Renee Spivey-Frazier: He beloved her. He actually beloved her.
Renard’s twin sister just isn’t stunned her brother was emotional.
Renee Spivey-Frazier: … she misplaced her life and he nonetheless – he was hurting …
Evidence photograph
But Patricia’s shut buddy Ezra Washington says simply two days earlier than Patricia died, she instructed him she was fed up with Renard’s controlling methods and his suspected steroid use — which she blamed for the dearth of intimacy of their relationship.
Ezra Washington: She stated, you understand what – she stated, “I’m performed” … She stated, “I’m leaving.”
Washington says on the day of the taking pictures he had a number of cellphone conversations with Renard, and that Renard instructed him they have been getting a divorce. Washington claims he confronted Renard about steroids.
Ezra Washington: “I do know you might be on them steroids.” “OK, OK … Man, I did. I bought some product from my boy ‘trigger I needed to get lean for the cruise … however I ain’t doing it no extra.” I stated, “cease mendacity.”
Washington says he instructed Renard to only go away the house however Renard made a remark about Patricia not getting the home.
Ezra Washington: I’mma present her. I’mma present her. I stated, man, do not be silly.
Washington says he feels responsible for not reaching out to Patricia to warn her that night time.
Ezra Washington: I did not name. I remorse that to this present day.
But he instructed authorities about his conversations with Renard.
Ezra Washington: I instructed them every little thing.
As Marshall and Shepherd waited for the case to go to trial, they’d arrived on the similar conclusion with Washington: that Renard had deliberately shot and killed Patricia.
Patrina Marshall: … it was kind of, his actions afterwards. … I did not see any regret from him.
Cybil Shepherd: I do not suppose it was an accident.
But Renard Spivey’s family members have been satisfied he would stroll out a free man.
Gerald Graham: He would by no means, ever deliberately pull a weapon to kill.
Gerald Graham: I knew him. … And I knew he was gonna get a not responsible verdict.
WAS PATRICIA SPIVEY’S SHOOTING DEATH AN ACCIDENT OR MURDER?
As Patricia Spivey’s household waited for his or her day in courtroom, the coronavirus pandemic stalled the proceedings and four-and-a-half half years handed by.
Cybil Shepherd: That’s not justice.
Renard remained beneath home arrest, however after a while, his legal professionals efficiently filed a movement to take away his ankle monitor and Renard joined the world of courting apps.
Renard Spivey: I in all probability was on possibly one or two of them, however, you understand, you get lonely, you want — you understand, some buddies or one thing like that.
On Nov. 28, 2023, Renard Spivey was again in courtroom. This time, not as a bailiff — however because the accused dealing with a life sentence if convicted.
Cybil Shepherd: He regarded completely completely different you understand. He wasn’t the clear shaven, you understand. … He had the grey beard.
The state instructed the jury Renard shot Patricia deliberately after she threatened to depart their marriage.
Lisa Andrews: The prosecution’s idea is that nearly like he snapped. He was indignant. … They have been arguing. … He was being accused of issues by her.
But in accordance with Spivey’s attorneys, this was merely a case of self-defense.
Dick DeGuerin: Self-defense matches as a result of she was threatening him with a gun, and he grabbed her wrist and the gun in his personal protection.
They say what occurred subsequent was an accident.
Dick DeGuerin: It was an unintentional discharge of the gun, a number of discharges of the gun. … when he instructed me what sort of gun it was, I’d had expertise with that exact mannequin of a Smith & Wesson semiautomatic.
Natalie Morales: You have it proper there.
Dick DeGuerin (demonstrating with gun): There isn’t any exterior security on this gun. … So, if, uh, somebody’s finger is on that set off, all it takes is a slight stress, and it goes off.
Dick DeGuerin: …with somebody that is gripping and attempting — to wrestle with the gun, that is sufficient stress to interact the set off and to fireside the gun.
Dick DeGuerin says as soon as fired, the semi-automatic reloads itself instantaneously.
Dick DeGuerin: … it recharges in cut up seconds. … Each time it is fired, it is prepared to fireside once more.
“48 Hours” went with DeGuerin to the doorway of the closet in Spivey’s home, the place he confirmed us what he says occurred.
Natalie Morales Pretty sizeable closet – it is like a giant closet.
Dick DeGuerin: Big closet.
CBS News
Dick DeGuerin (demonstrating with Morales): He noticed that she had her finger on the set off. … along with his left hand, he grabbed her proper wrist and put his proper hand on the highest of the gun to power it down and he or she pulled again —
Natalie Morales: And so she shot –
Dick DeGuerin: Back away from me.
Natalie Morales: OK. … And when she did that, it shot, hit him within the left thigh.
Dick DeGuerin: And as they fell, he grabbed her once more and grabbed the gun and tried to twist it out of her hand. Uh, her left hand got here off.
Natalie Morales: OK, left hand comes off.
Dick DeGuerin And the gun went off once more and shot her — within the chest.
Then, DeGuerin says the gun went off yet another time and the third shot hit Patricia within the arm.
Dick DeGuerin (demonstrating with Morales): Her hand by that point was in relationship to her physique virtually, vertical to her physique. That’s why when the bullet went in, it went in by her elbow, got here again out and went into her chest.
Evidence photograph
DeGuerin says the powder burn mark on Renard’s proper hand proves he grabbed the gun as Patricia fired.
Dick DeGuerin: When the gun fires … that is the place the gun powder that is been fired comes out … And that is what burned … his proper hand.
But there was one thing that puzzled the prosecutors they usually raised it at trial. In Renard’s telling, he and Patricia have been preventing on the entrance of the closet however Patricia’s physique was discovered deep contained in the closet. Prosecutors imagine it was as a result of he cornered her.
OFFICER (bodycam): Where’s she at –
RENARD SPIVEY: Laying on the ground.
Natalie Morales: Her physique, as I perceive –
Dick DeGuerin: Her physique –
Natalie Morales: — the place did it find yourself?
Dick DeGuerin: Well, it ended up, uh, over in in regards to the space that you’re, however then after —
Natalie Morales: And why — how did it find yourself right here?
Dick DeGuerin: Because that is the place they fell.
Natalie Morales: Where she fell.
At trial, the protection crew painted Patricia because the aggressor, they usually level to her web exercise that night to exhibit, they are saying, that her frustration along with her husband was constructing. At 2:49 a.m., Patricia posted this meme on Facebook: “Characterize individuals by their actions and you’ll by no means be fooled by their phrases.” At 2:59 a.m., Patricia is seen on digicam for the final time.
Evidence photograph
At 3:01 a.m., prosecutors suspect Patricia had sufficient – and within the house’s safety video you may make out her saying the phrases “it is the identical factor … again and again.” But DeGuerin says it’s not clear what Patricia actually meant.
Dick DeGuerin: Maybe that is what she stated, however what did it imply? … It’s ambiguous. What is she complaining about again and again?
At 3:03 a.m., Renard is seen within the kitchen, after which he goes into the bed room. Four minutes later at 3:07 a.m., you hear these three gunshots.
Dick DeGuerin: They have been in fast succession … inside of 4 seconds.
And at trial, Renard Spivey instructed the jury his spouse Patricia was the one firing.
Renard Spivey: I did not pull the set off.
Natalie Morales: No, your fingers weren’t on the set off?
Renard Spivey: No, ma’am, by no means.
DeGuerin says there is no such thing as a proof to contradict that. He says {that a} crime scene technician acknowledged at trial that the set off was by no means individually swabbed for DNA.
Dick DeGuerin: She stated, nicely, I used to be afraid that the gun would go off once more. Now, that tells you the way harmful that gun was …
But Marshall says her mother was not the kind of one who would pull a gun on anybody.
Patrina Marshall: My mother just isn’t violent like that. … It did not make sense to me.
Instead, Marshall believes her mother was within the closet that night time as a result of she was packing.
Patrina Marshall: I feel she was attempting to depart that night time.
Prosecutors had Ezra Washington inform the jury about these cellphone conversations with Renard the place Renard talked about his frustrations.
Ezra Washington: I simply need to get ’em the reality. Everything that got here outta his mouth that I do know.
But the prosecutors bumped into an issue. They say Washington instructed them he spoke to Renard utilizing apps on his cellphone, they usually have been unable to seek out data of these calls. DeGuerin says he does not imagine these conversations ever came about.
Natalie Morales: Are you saying Ezra Washington then — when he testified, as a result of he was a key witness for the prosecution, was he mendacity when he talked about these cellphone calls?
Dick DeGuerin: I would not name him a key witness. … significantly once we have been in a position to present that … there was no file of these calls.
Renard Spivey: — he did not speak to me. He lied. He did not speak to me.
Natalie Morales: Why would he make that up, although?
Renard Spivey: I do not know why he would make that up.
And Renard says he had no purpose to kill his spouse.
Natalie Morales: Had there been conversations about separation or divorce between you and Patricia?
Renard Spivey: No.
Natalie Morales: She hadn’t talked about leaving you?
Renard Spivey: No, no. All that is lies.
As the case went to the jury, nobody knew who the jurors have been going to imagine.
Renard Spivey: It was powerful. … individuals pointing finger at you, “you probably did it.” … And I do know deep inside that I did not.
AN ACQUITTAL FOR DEPUTY SPIVEY
Renard Spivey: I’ve by no means stopped having hope. And have religion. … My coronary heart is – you understand, I’m emotional. I do not know what to anticipate.
On Dec. 6, 2023, after 12 hours of deliberations over two days., the jury in Renard Spivey’s homicide trial reached a verdict and located him not responsible.
Renard Spivey: I fall to the ground crying. Boo crying … My attorneys assist choose me up. My household, you understand.
Natalie Morales: Very emotional?
Renard Spivey: Yeah, oh … (sighs)
Renard’s sister was relieved.
Renee Spivey-Frazier: I needed it to be over with as a result of I’m involved about him. … I’m involved about his wellbeing, his life, how he is dealing with this.
But she says there have been no winners.
Renee Spivey-Frazier: She misplaced her life … You know, I used to be feeling for her. … His life won’t ever be the identical.
On the opposite aspect of the aisle, Patricia’s household and buddies say they could not imagine the jury’s choice.
Cybil Shepherd: I’m simply — I’m numb. … I don’t imagine that she obtained justice in any respect.
Patrina Marshall l: I felt like I held my breath, after which “not responsible.” … I do not perceive how they bought there – I did not imagine him.
Renard’s legal professional says the jurors simply weren’t satisfied past an affordable doubt that his consumer was the one who fired that gun.
Dick DeGuerin: I feel was crucial to the jury that the prosecution by no means proved whose finger was on the set off. … And – it is crucial as a result of the prosecution has the burden of proof.
Dick DeGuerin: … and the gun was so essential. … The undeniable fact that it is such a harmful design of a gun that may go off so simply.
Lisa Andrews: There simply wasn’t, uh, sufficient proof to disprove his story.
Patricia Marshall/Facebook
Since the trial, Patricia’s household say they’ve had a tough time processing their loss.
Cybil Shepherd: It felt prefer it was method too quickly for me to be at her funeral. … Facebook has this – these reminiscences … And simply looks as if each different day … her photos will come up … I take into consideration the occasions that, you understand, we share, the great occasions.
Patrina Marshall: My mother was nonetheless essential. Like, she was essential to me…
Patrina Marshall: I simply miss that unconditional love. … I’ve no anchor, like she’s gone. … So she was my anchor. (emotional) Yeah, so yeah.
Renard Spivey: I’m hurting. … So I understand how they really feel.
Renard Spivey: Actually, I wish to, you understand, come to their household … go to their household, and say, hey, look, you understand … I beloved her, you understand? … And they knew that. … It’s little question in my thoughts that they knew I beloved Patricia Marshall.
Renard says, since his acquittal, he has been energetic in his group —
Renard Spivey: I work for a company and I volunteer for therapeutic for hoodies … And we feed the homeless each Sunday.
— leaning on his household and buddies.
Renard Spivey: A whole lot of the officers, a whole lot of different individuals [say], we knew that you simply did not try this. … We knew that you’d get … you understand, discovered not responsible. We know you; we all know your character; we all know the kind of individual you might be.
But he says he nonetheless misses his spouse.
Renard Spivey: … you bear in mind stuff that she used to love, you bear in mind the music, you bear in mind the meals she favored. … You know what colour costume, sure issues she favored. You bear in mind all that.
Renard Spivey: So day-after-day, it is — it is a problem … It’s — it is — I’m nonetheless — I can not sleep at night time. … I reside with it day-after-day.
Produced by Asena Basak. Jenna Jackson is the event producer. Morgan Canty is the sector producer. Atticus Brady and Chris Crater are the editors. Annabelle Allen is the affiliate producer. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer.…
