Renard Spivey is a former sheriff’s deputy and TV bailiff known from “Justice for All with Judge Christina Perez” . He was in the headlines due to the shooting death of his wife Patricia Spivey which involved a long complicated investigation that tested all areas of a case.
The Incident and Investigation
In July 2019, police responded to the Spivey residence after a 911 call regarding a shooting incident. Patricia was found dead in a closet with gunshot wounds while Renard had a bullet in his leg. The event had officials immediately suspicious because a gun had discharged multiple times during what seemed like a struggle.
Conflicting Accounts
Renerd Spivey stated the shooting occurred during a struggle over a gun between him and his wife. Police found this explanation unconvincing due to his large frame compared to his wife’s small figure. They believed the gun could not fire by accident multiple times during a struggle over a weapon. It also showed to be a deviation from his typical form in prior history. The details provided left more questions than answers during this early point in the investigation.
The Life of Renard Spivey
Spivey was a bailiff in court settings and also had experience playing that role on television. His involvement with law enforcement was well documented over 20 years with multiple involvements. As someone in law enforcement many assumed he would know all elements of how to properly handle weapons.
Personal and Professional Impact
Due to the incident Spivey lost his job as a deputy with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department . His career on the TV program “Justice For All With Judge Cristina Perez” also stopped after his arrest showing major areas of life were completely upended during the legal process .
Key Witnesses and Perspectives
Family Members Questioning the Circumstances
Patricia's family was both saddened and suspicious due to all of the facts that presented themselves. They believe that justice may have been hindered due to Spivey being an officer. These actions had also affected his relationship with multiple people, and they questioned that what had actually occurred that fateful night.
Conflicting Narratives
Patricia's friend Ezra Washington spoke to the issues between Renard and Patrica stating that Renard was both controlling and potentially using steroids which caused mood swings. Washington went on to say he knew they would be divorced after this but the actual turn of events ended their problems in a most horrible manner.
Events Leading up to the Shooting
Renard admitted he and Patricia had issues of intimacy. It all began to come to a head that same night where she was turning away from him while looking at her phone which then created distrust in Renard. Spivey had suspected steroid use on his end and there was distrust for what she was looking at.
Discovery in the Closet
Spivey claims he grabbed Patricia’s phone when she had gone to bed to look through her personal content and he retreated to the master closet to do so in the dark. Spivey then states he was confronted by his wife in the closet pointing the gun at him. That lead to a struggle over the weapon where she was eventually killed. However, investigators were also suspicious he had entered the closet first after seeing her actions.
The Defense and Court Arguments
Spivey claimed self defense because his wife pointed the gun at him with her finger on the trigger which prompted his defensive moves. The defense stated that the gun model used is very dangerous due to the sensitivity of it’s trigger. They also wanted to emphasize their argument was a story of a troubled marriage but also about self defense of an armed attacker.
Contradictions and Challenges of the Case
Prosecution’s challenged Spivey’s story. The way his 911 call is described is something many would not use for example saying, "they" when his wife was the injured person not "she" or "my wife" . A great amount of emphasis was put on the different views that occurred as it also questioned Spivey's claim of administering CPR while at the same time leaving to unlock the door for the paramedics in his property. They were also highly suspicious on Spivey for shooting himself in the leg.
Outcome and Aftermath
The jury delivered a not guilty verdict after deliberating for 12 hours over 2 days with the ruling being said it was due to a lack of being convinced he did fire the gun. Patricia's friends and family did not believe he was innocent with an overall feelings of disbelief in that conclusion. It was noted however that Spivey and his family were in shock at the outcome with them finally being able to exhale for the first time in the process.
Spivey's Post Trial Actions and Family Statements
After Spivey was no longer restricted with the court procedures he found his life would have many adjustments in which would be a different path for him. His attorneys claim the outcome could be linked to doubt in the prosecutors findings. Spivey stated that he loved his wife despite how it all played out and wanted to talk to her family. Despite this ruling both Patrica's family members felt there was a void left after all they had seen and experienced. His twin sister had hoped for it to be over with her main focus was on what all these events would mean for her brother in a long term form.
Key Takeaways
- Renard Spivey, a former sheriff's deputy and TV bailiff, was accused of murdering his wife, Patricia.
- The case went into trial with differing accounts that were later scrutinized by law and court.
- The defense showed key inconsistencies in all information offered by authorities.
- Spivey was ultimately found not guilty after deliberation however the results have been contested by others.
- The case highlights all aspects that have many issues, complexities and differing views.