The Man Sitting in Jail Without a Trial for 7-Years
Guy faces a death sentence if convicted for murder after a no-knock raid at his home resulted in the death of an officer
The Sixth Amendment gives you the right to a “speedy trial.” This means a defendant charged with a criminal act has a right to be brought to trial within a relatively short time after arrest. The amendment also awards a defendant the right to be tried by a jury of peers.
The time frame classified as a “speedy trial” differs from state to state and case by case without a set period of time. In Florida, a defendant charged with a felony crime has the right to be brought to trial within 175 days of an arrest. Misdemeanor charges have a set time of 90-days.
Seven Years Without a Trial
Marvin Guy has been incarcerated for SEVEN (7) YEARS without a trial after he allegedly murdered a police officer during a no-knock raid at his home. If convicted, Guy faces the death penalty, all for defending his family from whom he thought were intruders breaking into the home to cause harm.
“I can’t believe they still have that man sitting in jail and he can’t even fight his case,” said Local Gun Rights Activist Greg Holland.
Supporters, friends and family of Guy say part of the reason is the Bell County Justice system and the other is Guy’s defense team.
“He feels that the public defenders are working hand-in-hand with the prosecutor to try and convict him,” said Galloway.
The no-knock raid happened in the middle of the night on May 9, 2014, in the town of Killeen, Texas. Police shattered windows and rammed through the doors of Guy’s home. The commotion woke Guy who was sleeping. He grabbed his weapon and fired one shot through his bedroom window, thinking he was stopping an intruder.
An officer tripped and dropped a flash grenade. This causes the officers who were surrounding his home to randomly open fire. Bullets flew through the air, endangering the lives of countless individuals, including children, residing in the apartment complex.
Poorly executed from the jump, the raid resulted in the death of one of the officers who entered his home that night. It’s still unclear if bullets from Guy’s gun hit the officer or if the shots fired by fellow officers struck and killed the man.
Officers did not find drugs in the home -the entire reason they barged into the home in the middle of the night in the first place.
The cause for the no-knock raid was justified by suspicions that Guy was some big time drug dealer running a huge drug operation out of his apartment. Only, he wasn’t. An informant told police they could find cocaine in his home. Guy worked full-time, attended church regularly, and was in love with a great woman.
When Guy realized that it was police who broke into his home, he surrendered. That wasn't good enough for police who then attacked the girlfriend, breaking her ribs in the process.
An officer retrieved his gun and forcefully placed it inside of Guy’s mouth, repeatedly threatening to kill him, while ruffing him up a little bit. Guy is now disabled and does not have full use of his hands or feet.
“My heart aches every time I think about it. His intentions were not to break up a family or harm a family. He was just doing what any normal person would do to defend his castle,” said Marvin Guy’s Brother Garett Galloway.
Stand Your Ground
Guy thought the “stand your ground” doctrine protecting Texas residents who use lethal force to protect themselves would protect him as well. Yet, he remains in jail, STILL awaiting trial.
In April 2021, no-knock warrants were banned by Killeen City leaders.
If you want to help Marvin Guy, you can sign the petition or call 254-500-2180. Calling this number connects you to an automated message from Guy’s brother, then get automatically connected to state and local officials who can help Marvin.
Information:
https://freemarvinguy.com/#petition
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/03/18/us/texas-no-knock-warrant-drugs.html
https://www.kxxv.com/hometown/bell-county/7-years-later-marvin-guy-still-waiting-on-his-day-in-court
About the Creator
True Crime Writer
The best of the worst true crime, history, strange and Unusual stories. Graphic material. Intended for a mature audience ONLY.
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