Decatur city leaders react to mole warrant hearing, police leadership

DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) – An obvious leadership gap; That’s how several Decatur City Council members described their police department after Friday’s whack-a-mole hearing at the Morgan County Courthouse.

During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, members did not hesitate to share their reaction to the hearing in the murder case against former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette.

“It was very worrying and disappointing. I really don’t know what else to say,” said Council President Jacob Ladner. “It really affected my thinking about how we can really move forward.”

Marquette is charged with the line-of-duty shooting death of Stephen Perkins in September 2023.

The hearing included testimony from several Decatur police officers, city officials and investigators with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, all of whom were questioned about how a video containing police bodycam footage and other evidence related to the shooting became public.

During the hearing, both Police Chief Todd Pinion and Lt. Joe Renshaw confirmed that a copy of the footage had been given to police lieutenants to show to all Decatur police officers. Pinion testified that police officials decided to share the video to answer officers’ questions and for training purposes.

Decatur city leaders agreed that the hearing exposed a lack of leadership in the police department and that it was preventing the city from moving forward.

“I wasn’t really impressed with what I saw,” said City Councilman Kyle Pike. “I really question the leadership of our entire police department.”

Councilman Billy Jackson recalled previous comments he made about Pinion’s leadership.

“I have said before that I do not believe Chief Pinion is the right person for the job at this time, and I stand by that,” he said.

Ladner suggested he should be held accountable if changes were not made.

“Let’s move forward, and if you don’t see something within a short, reasonable time frame that at least tries to move some things forward,” Ladner said. “If not, then everyone come to me. But give me a chance.”

Prosecutors want the silence order to be permanent, but as of Tuesday a temporary silence order is still in effect.