Marlon Legere facts for kids

Marlon Legere was born on October 10, 1975, in New York. He is a Trinidadian-American citizen. He was found responsible for the deaths of NYPD detectives Robert Parker and Patrick Rafferty.

A Tragic Day in September 2004

On September 10, 2004, Marlon Legere's mother, Melva, called the police for help. She contacted detectives Robert Parker and Patrick Rafferty in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. She knew them from previous times when her son had caused trouble.

The two detectives found Marlon Legere sitting in his mother's car on East 49th Street. They used their car to block his, so he could not drive away. It is important to know that neither detective was wearing a bulletproof vest that day.

The detectives got out of their car and approached Legere's vehicle. During a struggle, Legere got hold of one of the officer's guns. He fired it, seriously injuring both detectives. Legere later told police that he fought back and took their gun.

Even after being hurt, Detective Rafferty managed to shoot Legere in the foot and ankle. At the same time, Detective Parker called 911 on his cell phone. He calmly described what happened and identified Legere to the operator. Both detectives were still alive when ambulances arrived, but they sadly passed away on the way to the hospital.

Escape and Capture

After being shot, Marlon Legere, still holding the officer's gun, left the scene. He took a minivan from a person named Omar Harvey. Legere drove about twelve blocks to a friend's apartment. There, he tried to get rid of the gun.

Police found him two hours later. A neighbor saw Legere lying down and bleeding on the apartment's fire escape. The gun belonging to Detective Parker was found in a lot behind the building.

The Trial and Outcome

On September 13, 2004, legal action was taken against Legere for the serious events that occurred. When the case went to trial, Legere stated he was not guilty. However, he chose not to speak in his own defense.

His lawyers argued that Legere believed he was being robbed and acted in self-defense. The detectives were in plain clothes and driving an unmarked car at the time. His defense attorney, Ivan Vogel, said it was a "tragic situation" where Legere felt he was "fighting for his life."

The jury thought about the case for only one day. Legere was found guilty on February 2, 2006. On February 22, 2006, he received two life sentences without the chance of being released. He also received sentences for other related actions.

Many people in New York, especially police officers, were disappointed that Legere could not face the death penalty. This was because New York's law about capital punishment had been changed just three months before.

As of February 2006, Legere is held at Clinton Correctional Facility. This facility is in Dannemora, New York.

An Unanswered Question

One question remains about how Legere was able to get Detective Parker's Glock 19 gun. It is not entirely clear if the detective had his gun already out. If so, Legere might have wrestled it away. If not, he might have pulled it from Parker's holster himself. The NYPD usually gives its officers special holsters that hold guns securely. However, it is unknown if Detective Parker was wearing one that day.