Deputy Spivey on Trial | Full Episode | Forensic Files

[Music] what is your emergency a shots fired what is your name my name is ano Spidy
yeah my wife in arm I accidentally shot her you accidentally shot her yeah some Polie where you at ma'am
[Music] sir yeah I'm back here all right where's the weapon right here stay away from it
I don't want to see it in your hand stand where she atay on the floor yeah where you the leg all right sh the leg
okay we was arguing tussling with the gun and we have been arguing all day okay go ahead and put your hands behind
your back okay Renard Spivey was a longtime deputy sheriff and the deceased was his wife
Pat or Patricia Spivey Spivey who also worked for a time as a TV judge show BFF is now charged with his wife's murder
there was a lot of publicity because he had been on a very popular reality TV show justice for all with Christina
Perez allise court is now in session he was the perfect person in front of everybody
else I think he thought the camera was was always on when it comes to how your mom died do
you think it was accidental no it just it didn't make sense it didn't line up the security cameras how important were
the security cameras and the evidence I think they were very important on the surveillance you clearly hear the three
gunshots one 2 3 the prosecution's theory is that he shot her and then shot himself to cover
it up you don't accidentally shoot someone more than once was the autopsy consistent with an accidental shooting
well ultimately I guess that's the million-dollar question whose finger was on the trigger who was the aggressor she
was threatening him with a gun if he is the aggressor then this is a murder if she is the aggressor this was either
self-defense or an accident this is the n mm gun this is the actual gun it's caught now there is no external
safety on this gun and so any slight pull of the trigger would cause it to go off there
was no single piece of physical evidence that really conclusively pointed towards
a particular verdict did you intentionally shoot your wife no ma'am I love my wife
[Music] [Music] it was just after 3:00 a.m. in the warm Houston summer of 2019 when First Responders arrived at
rard and Patricia spivey's home and found 52-year-old Patricia dead in the closet from multiple gunshot wounds we
can definitely see a wound in her abdomen right there will it be the entry point it it looks like it we don't know
if that's the only one but that's definitely one there this sounds Alik her husband Renard had a bullet in his
leg he told officers the two had been arguing and fighting over a gun when it fired where' you shoot her we was
tching Renard Spivey a sheriff's deputy with Harris County worked as a BFF in courts you're Deputy sergeant lieutenant
deputy and played a bayth on TV all for justice for all with Judge Christina Perez I'm giving you one more chance to
tell me the truth Renard didn't say much more about what happened happened police detained
him and had him transported to a [Music] hospital Patricia's 83-year-old father who suffered from dementia was also
living with the Spy be he was sleeping when the gunshots erupted what what happened you didn't hear anything I
haven't did anything I know we just need your statement First Responders on the scene wondered how a gun could go off
multiple times by accident if you get shot once you're not going to make the gun go off again that's what I'm saying
and why a man of Renard size around 6'3 and weighing around 290 lb would need to
struggle with his smaller wife to take control over a gun say you're that big and you fighting for the gun I don't
know but that was a big dude this big dude was a big dude it's got a bunch of trophies inside bodybuilding trophies he
got a homicide it it just doesn't it doesn't make sense bro it was more like what happened
because like I said Patrina Marshall patria's daughter from a previous relationship arrived at the scene did my
mom do something did rard do something like what did somebody do something to them like I didn't know what to expect
Patrina says an officer told her her mother had died during a struggle with her husband when he told you she didn't
make it had to be very tough to hear that it but you held it together I don't know something really weird happened to
me I don't know it's just like I just kind of shut [Music] down and everything just became really
numb I still have not cried Patrina says she regrets not seeing her mom for one last time I just
didn't get that and I'm like man so she just sitting in that closet just the whole time so oh my God I'm
crying Patrina never thought her mother's life would end this way her mother fell quickly for Renard it was
like her first everything that was her first house and it was Patricia's first marriage Renard's third when we met I
did like her we kind of H it off and stuff like 5 years after Patricia's death rard shared with us his feelings
for Patricia she was a fun person she was spontaneous and she was just a beautiful
person Renard had popped the question in 2013 after Patricia pointed at a ring she liked at a store right there where
the ring was and come here and show I proposed got on my knees and proposed to her and she said yes right away she said
yes and we had fun we celebrated in Hawaii and then they built their dream house
a 3,000 ft home with a three-car garage but within a few hours of Patricia's death Renard found himself
Under Suspicion for murder at the hospital detectives wanted to interview Renard but he refused he would later
tell us why at that point had you already gotten an attorney I had a union repoa attorney and he came to the
hospital union rep we said do not talk to him while investigators tried to figure out how exactly the shooting
unfolded the medical examiner was conducting an autopsy on Patricia according to the report Patricia had
multiple gunshot entry and exit wounds the Fatal shot piercing through her lungs and heart 48 Hours consultant and
former prosecutor Lisa Andrews reviewed the case for us the multiple shots is definitely what gives everyone a lot of
pause as to why it's not an accident the medical examiner ruled it a homicide which is an intentional
killing on July 29th 2019 Renard Spivey was charged with his wife's murder what was that like for you now being behind
bars for somebody who had been on the other side of the law for so long it was it was tough it was real tough what I've
been through I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy Renard's twin sister Renee Spivey Frasier says she found out her
brother was arrested did when she got a call from a relative and I just couldn't
believe what I was hearing because I knew he loved her unconditionally Renard's friend Gerald
Graham who Renard has mentored over the years couldn't believe it either like he's the Big Brother the the Father the
uncle I just want to thank y'all for all the well wishes I have never seen Spivey
in any kind of altercation I never seen him raise his voice [Music] Renard Spivey hired prominent criminal
defense attorneys brothers dick and Mike dearin and Mike's son Michael dearin one
of the things that we were able to see in this case is they had a camera system in their home and I watched their
relationship we wanted to see if there was anything there to provide a motive for wanting her to be harmed or dead or
that there was trouble in the relation relationship it was very loving relationship as I could
tell but yet we know on that night somebody went to bed angry it looked like she went to bed
angry he did [Music] not 48 hours after he was charged with the murder of his wife Harris County
Sheriff's deputy Renard Spivey hosted Bond $50,000 I was in jail probably a couple
of days and returned to the house he used to share with Patricia where investigators believed he intentionally
shot her when you walk in that door do the memories come flooding right back well as soon as you go in the door and
then you go in the bedroom bam it hits you Renard Spivey insists his wife's death was an accident I love my wife you
know I did everything for anything anything she wanted I always treated like my queen but Renard never gave a statement
to police about how the events unfolded that night and Patricia's family questioned
the circumstances around her death and why rard was free un Bond Patricia's cousin syil shephard I don't think that
his bond Bond was high enough for murder being a sheriff I think he got a lot of
uh privilege in that instance Patricia's loved ones call her the caregiver of the family she was kind
of like the glue her being gone really is is you can you notice it that she's she's
gone she did anything that she could to help people out and you can see that just from taking care of her dad you
know just taking on that responsibility Patricia worked as an executive assistant for the Methodist
Hospital in Houston she' go visit people in the hospital she would go take them food send them
flowers if nobody else was thinking of them she was she just was everywhere helping
taking pictures giving her time just real social she was very accomplished Renard's attorney dick dearin says say
the spyes had a good life they were very happy they they went on cruises together
every Friday night they had a special dinner how would you describe Renard Spivey I mean the idea of a gentle giant
his size was you can't avoid seeing how big he is Renard has been a bodybuilder since his
20s in the aftermath of his wife's death he was placed under house arrest but was
allowed to continue with his training actually during that period of time it was more therapeutic for me because I've
been doing it for 40 years CU that's that's my love he was also free to go to church
and spend time with his family but he resigned from his career of more than 20 years with Harris County Sheriff's
Department his TV career also took a hit by the time of Patricia's death I understand you were still taping yes the
the Justice with Christina pz show well they say before that we were taping then
after that we didn't do any more taping Renard had portrayed the Bale for 9 years and taped more than 100
episodes he told us it was something his wife really liked about him and what did
Patricia think of your television career oh she loved it she she was excited and
a matter of fact I took her to the couple of the enemies Patricia's childhood friend Ezra Washington had a
small part as an extra on that show and remembered meeting Ard when Patricia and
Renard got together you recognized him right away from from his time rard and Ezra became close friends but over time
even before Patricia married Renard Ezra says Renard was controlling with her they were a papos Friday night you know
she'd have a few and he told her don't drink no more and she said why he was like cuz I said so and she dumped him
the couple got back together but their problems hardly went away says Ezra and eventually impacted Patricia's
relationship with her cousin syil he didn't like silver at all he literally just hated her she allowed Pat to have
freedom they were going on this Cruise every year and they party have fun and they meet people from other parts of the
country he definitely felt you know intimidated by the relationship you know that we had um Cil says after the couple
got married Patricia distanced herself it was more so trying to just put that wedge um between the two of
us and it worked I just backed off from it I didn't want to come between somebody and
their marriage it almost seemed like he was jealous of her relationships that he
already knew she had I mean he met her Patrina says her mom and Renard had no business being married she says their
relationship became strained once they moved into their new house they argued quite a bit what did she complain about
with him mainly it was liido uh that he he didn't want to sleep with her and maybe she thought he
was taking steroids because his his whole demeanor changed and his attitude towards her
changed swings lot of up and down yes Patrina says her mom looked up some of Renard's pills and told her she found
proof Renard was using steroids in the days leading up to the shooting did it seem like things had
intensified yes Renard says he was never controlling with Patricia but he doesn't
deny there were issues in their marriage and says they began about a month before
the shooting she thought I was on steroids and stuff and I'm trying to get to understand that I my testosterone was
low and I was going to a doctor Renard says a doctor had prescribed him testosterone shots what about the
steroids were you taking steroids at that time that's was the replacement it's called it's called replacement
therapy that's that's not steroids did you feel like you your moods were up and down too during the time you were
getting those shots does do the shots affect your mood no no Renard had already told police the two
were arguing on that fatal night and she thought her probably was cheating on her
or something because we wasn't intimate anymore and what you say to her I told her no that's
crazy security footage in the spivey's home recorded some of the couple's movements she is sitting at the table at
one point you walk over to her what happens I I when I walked over to her I was getting ready to go to bed and every
time I walk over to her she'd turned her phone down and then I was trying to I kiss her I'm not kissing you Renard says
he was curious why Patricia was hiding her phone from him after they went to bed thinking that
his wife was asleep he says he grabbed her phone from her nightstand and brought it into the closet I want to see
what she was looking at and so when I grab the phone I'm thinking she sleep I go on the master closet it's dark and it
wasn't seconds before you know pointing the gun at me give me my damn phone Renard says Patricia followed him into
the closet with a gun then when I turned around and saw her finger on the trigger
I was scared for my [Music] life when I turned around she had the gun pointed at me
[Music] tension between Renard and his wife Patricia turned frightening he says I
was really scared cuz you know put your finger on the trigger unless you prepared to shoot when Patricia
threatened him with his gun where do you keep your gun uh on the on the dresser so it's on your side on
the bed yeah and is it always loaded it's always loaded don't you talk somebody down like as your police
training is to deescalate the situation well I was afraid cuz I've never been in
a situation like that before so the best thing I knew in my training to try to take the weapon away from him Renard
says he tried to do just that and things unfolded quickly when I grabbed her wrist I grabbed the top of the weapon
she pulled back with her thing on the trigger and it went off and shot me in the leg so you got shot first I got shot
first then what happened I was in the process of balling down and when I trying to take the weapon away from me
it went off a a couple more times two more times he says Patricia was hit in the chest and then hit by
another bullet in her arm as Illustrated in the CBS News animation based on defense Theory we're certain that the
first shot that hit her went into her left chest through her lungs and into her heart we think that the second shot
that hit her hit her in the right arm and went basically in and out of the bicep and then into her upper right
chest but former prosecutor Lisa Andrews says it is not certain that only two shots struck her the medical examiner
thought it was possible Patricia's wounds were the result of three shots one to the left chest one to the right
arm and a third to her right chest there's a lot of controversy about how many times she was actually shot one
shot is an accident three shots well I mean that's the question right investigators poured over the home
surveillance three gunshots are heard clearly but authorities suspected Renard actually fired the gun four times three
bullets fired at Patricia and then one Renard would have fired at himself sh the wounding his leg to make it seem
that Patricia shot him investigators identified one piece of sound you can hear it over the alarm ringing now this
next clip picks up the tap they say it's The Gunshot recorded about a minute and a half after the
three other shots different sound different sound there was a reason they say it sounds
different than the others their theory was that that that sound that fourth sound was a gunshot in a different part
of the house and that was him shooting himself Renard Spivey denies there was a fourth gunshot that wasn't you shooting
the fourth shot then have cover up story no man Renard's attorneys dick and Michael dearr and also listen to that
surveillance tape it is not a gunshot they say the sound most likely is the click of
another camera in the room being activated and keep in mind there were three empty cartridges that were
found but Lisa Andrew says there were other things that could point to Renard's guilt like his call to
911 what is your emergency uh a shot spot [Applause] okay sir is there an actual patient
there has someone been shot yes ma'am it's pretty calm the demeanor does look pretty off to me okay where's the
patient are they on the floor and I'm I'm shocked too they he doesn't say my wife or she it's it's an
emotional step back from from what has happened it took Renard 2 and 1 half minutes to say he accidentally shot his
wife yeah my wife had argum I accidentally shot her it's like he can't bring himself to say what he's
done for him not to reveal that information with two decades of Law Enforcement Training to me that was
consciousness of guilt but Renard says he wasn't hiding anything where when you traumatize and see your wife shot and
you shot two at the same time it's it's a lot mhm where's the gun it's on you can hear the strain in his voice
so you know he's in pain he was confused and uh probably going into shock but there are other things on that
tape that caught Andrew's attention since she is not awake and not breathing normally sir we need to
perform CPR on her huh I said we need to perform CPR on her I thought this was also significant I have no doubt he is
trained in how to give CPR perform it you can hear what sounds like Renard doing chest compressions 1 2 3 4 5 but a
little while later you can see on the home security cameras Renard takes a break without mentioning it to the 911
operator need to apply from direct pressure to your wounds and her wounds but we still need to continue the
CPR okay ma' he's on the phone with 911 holding the towel on his leg typically when you're performing CPR
you don't take breaks Renard says he went to unlock the garage door to make sure Medics could
get to his wife as soon as possible I came right back and continue the chest compressions 1 2 3 4
6 is then heard breaking down ma here Mr spy just keep going he doing great sir if you can continue please
continue 1 2 3 4 5 he loved her happy anniversary to you too dear happy anniversary to
you he really loved her Renard's twin sister is not surprised her brother was emotional she lost her life
and he still he was [Music] hurting but Patricia's close friend Ezra Washington says just two days before
Patricia died she told him she was fed up with Renard's controlling ways and his suspected steroid use which she
blamed for the lack of intimacy in their relationship she said you know what she
said I'm done she said I'm leaving Ezra says on the day of the shooting he had multiple phone conversations with
Renard and that Renard told him they were getting a divorce Ezra claims he confronted Renard about steroids I know
you on them steroids okay okay man I I I I did I got some product from my boy cuz
I wanted to get lean for the cruise but I I ain't doing it no more I said stop lying
Ezra says he told Renard to just leave the home but Renard made a comment about Patricia not getting the house I'm a
sure I'm a sure her I said man don't be stupid Ezra says he feels guilty for not
reaching out to Patricia to warn her that night I didn't call I regret that to this day but he told authorities
about his conversations with Renard I told him everything as Patrina and syil waited
for the case to go to trial they had arrived at the same conclusion with Ezra that Renard had intentionally shot and
killed Patricia it was more or less his actions afterwards I didn't see any remorse from him I don't think it was an
accident but Renard spivey's loved ones were convinced he would walk out a free man he would never ever intentionally
pull a weapon to kill I knew him I knew he was going to get a not guilty ver as Patricia spivey's family waited
for their day in court the Corona virus pandemic stalled the proceedings 4 and A2 years passed by that's not Justice
Renard remained under house arrest but after some time his lawyer successfully filed a motion to remove his ankle
monitor and Renard joined the world of dating app I probably was on maybe one or two
of them but you know you get lonely you need you know you know some friends or something like
that on November 28th 2023 Renard Spivey was back in court this time not as a bayith but as the accused facing a life
sentence if convicted he looked totally different you know he wasn't the the clean shaven you know he had the The
Gray beard the state told the jury Renard shot Patricia intentionally after she threatened to leave their marriage
the prosecution's theory is that almost like he snapped he was angry they were arguing he was being accused of things
by her but according to spivey's attorneys this was simply a case of self-defense self-defense fits because
she was threatening him with a gun and he grabbed her wrist and the gun in his own defense they say what happened next
was an accident it was an unintentional discharge of the gun several discharges of the
gun when he told me what kind of gun it was I'd had experience with that particular model of a Smith and Wesson
semi-automatic you have it right there there is no external safety on this gun so if someone's finger is on that
trigger all it takes is is a slight slight pressure and it goes off with someone that's gripping and
trying to wrestle with the gun that's enough pressure to engage the trigger and to fire the gun dict de Garen says
once fired the semi-automatic reloads itself instantaneously it recharges in in Split
seconds each time it's fired it's ready to fire again we went with dear to the doorway of the closet in spy's house
it's a pretty sizable closet it's like a it's a big closet closet where he showed
us what he says happened he saw that she had her finger on the trigger with his left hand he grabbed her right wrist
okay and put his right hand on the top of the gun to force it down and she pulled back and so she sh away from me
okay and when she did that it it shot hit him in the left thigh and as they fell he grabbed her again and grabbed
the gun and tried to twist twist it out of her hand uh her left hand came off okay left hand comes off and and the gun
went off again and shot her the in the chest then dearin says the gun went off one more time and the third shot hit
Patricia in the arm her hand by that time was in relationship to her body almost vertical mhm to her body that's
why when the bullet went in it went in by her elbow came back out and went into her chest Garen says the powder burn
mark on Renard's right hand proves he grabbed the gun as Patricia fired when the gun
fires uh this is where the gunpowder that's been fired comes out and that's what burned his right hand but there was
something that puzzled the prosecutors and they raised it at trial where's she at she's laying on the floor in Renard's
telling he and Patricia were fighting at the entrance of the closet but Patricia's body was found deep inside
the closet prosecutors believe it was because he cornered her her body as I understand her body where did it end up
well it ended up uh over in about the area that you are but then after and why how did it end up here because that's
where they fell where she fell at trial the defense team painted Patricia as the
aggressor and they point to her internet activity that evening to demonstrate they say that her frustration with her
husband was building at 2:49 a.m. Patricia posted this meme on Facebook characterize people by their actions and
you will never be fooled by their words at 2:59 a.m. Patricia is seeing on camera for the last time
at 3:01 a.m. prosecutors suspect Patricia had enough and you can make out her saying the words it's the same thing
over and over [Music] again but dearin says it is not clear what Patricia really
meant maybe that's what she said but what did it mean it's ambiguous what is she complaining about over and over
again at 3:03 a.m. Renard is seen in the kitchen and then he goes into the bedroom 4 minutes later at 3:07 you hear
those three gunshots they were in quick succession inside of 4 seconds and at trial Renard
Spivey told the jury his wife Patricia was the one firing I didn't pull a trigger
no your fingers weren't on the trigger no ma'am not at all dearen says there is no evidence to
contradict that he says that a crime scene technician acknowledged at trial that the trigger was never separately
swabbed for DNA he said well I was afraid that the gun would go off again now that tells you how dangerous that
gun was but Patrina says her mom was not the type of person who would pull a gun
on anyone my mom is not violent like that it didn't make sense to me instead Patrina believes her mom was
in the closet that night because she was packing I think she was trying to leave
that night prosecutors had Ezra Washington tell the jury about those phone conversations with Renard where Renard
talked about his frustrations I just want to get him the truth everything that came out of his
mouth that I know but the prosecutors ran into a problem they say Ezra told them he spoke to Renard using apps on
his phone and they were unable to find records of those calls dearen says he doesn't believe those conversations ever
took place are you saying Ezra Washington then when he testified because he was a key witness for the
prosecution was he lying when he talked about those phone calls I wouldn't call him a key witness particularly when we
were able to show that there was no no record of those calls he didn't talk to me he lied he didn't talk to me I mean
why would he make that up I don't know why he would make that up and Renard says he had no reason to kill his wife
had there been conversations about separation or divorce between you and Patricia no she hadn't talked about
leaving you no no all that's lies as the case went to the jury no one knew who the jur SS were going to
believe it was tough people Point F that you you did it and I know deep inside that I
didn't if you were on the jury what would be the most important evidence in this case chat now with the 48 Hours
team on Facebook and X stop having hope and have faith on December 6th 2023 after 12 hours of
deliberations over two days the jury and Renard spivey's murder trial reached a verdict my heart is you know I'm
emotional I don't know what to expect and found him happy anniversary happy anniversary not guilty
[Music] I fall to the floor crying boo crying my attorneys help picked me up my family you know very emotional yeah
oh Renard's sister Rene was relieved I'm wanting it to be over with because I'm concerned about him I'm concerned about
his well-being his life how he's handling this but she says there were no winners she lost her life and I was
feeling for her and his life will never be the same on the other side of the aisle
Patricia's family and friends say they couldn't believe the jury's decision I'm I'm just I'm numb I do not
believe that she received Justice at [Music] all I feel like I heal my bread and then
not guilty I I'm I don't understand how they got there I didn't believe him Renard's attorney says the jurors just
weren't convinced Beyond a reasonable doubt that his client was the one who fired that gun I think was very
important to the jury that the prosecution never proved whose finger was on the trigger and it's very
important because the prosecution has a burden of proof and the the gun was so important the fact that it's such a
dangerous uh design of a gun that would go off so [Music] easily there just wasn't uh enough
evidence to disprove his story since the trial Patricia's family say they've had a hard time processing
their loss felt like it was way too soon for me to be at her funeral Facebook has
this these memories it just seems like every other day pictures will come up and think
about the times that you know we shared um the good times my mom was still important like
she was important to me I just miss that unconditional love I have no anchor like she's gone so
she was my my anchor yeah so yeah I'm hurting so I know how they feel actually I would like to you know come
to their family go to their family and say hey look you know I loved her you know and they knew
that it's no doubt in my mind that they knew I love Patricia Marshall Bernard says since his
acquittal he has been active in his community I work for a organization and a volunteer for healing for hoodies and
we feed the Homeless every Sunday leaning on his family and friends a lot of the officers a lot of other
people we knew each you didn't do that we knew that you would get you know found not guilty we know you we know
your character we know what type of person you are man appreciate it man appreciate God is good God is good but
he says he still misses his wife you remember stuff that she used to like you remember the
music you remember the food she like you know what color dress certain things she like you remember all
that so every day it's it's a challenge it's it's I'm still I can't sleep at [Music]
night I live with it every day don't miss True Crime anytime you want anywhere you go with the 48 Hours
podcast real crimes real lives like a John Grisham novel come to life real Justice there's some questions that have
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A TV bailiff accused of murdering his wife is determined to prove his innocence. In his first ever interview, Renard Spivey talks to "48 Hours" contributor Natalie Morales. (Aired Jan. 11, 2025)

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Brief Summary

Renard Spivey is acquitted of murdering his wife Patricia after a controversial trial over the circumstances of her death.

Key points

The Autopsy Findings. The medical examiner rules Patricia's death a homicide, raising questions about the shooting's circumstances.
The Murder Charge. Renard Spivey is charged with his wife's murder, leading to public scrutiny and media attention.
Renard's Defense. Renard insists the shooting was accidental, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
Patricia's Legacy. Patricia Spivey is remembered as the caregiver of the family, leaving a significant void after her death.
Renard's 911 Call. Renard Spivey calls 911 after accidentally shooting his wife, Patricia. His calm demeanor raises suspicions.
Patricia's Last Words. Just days before her death, Patricia expressed her frustrations with Renard's controlling behavior.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

I love my wife.

Renard's emotional declaration about his feelings for Patricia.

2:59WatchJan 16, 2025

Tension

75/ 100High tension

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