Marvin Guy, convicted in the 2014 fatal shooting of Killeen Police Detective Chuck Dinwiddie, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday. The jury, after 34 minutes of deliberation, reached the decision in a case that has spanned almost a decade.
In the May 2014 incident, which occurred during a no-knock narcotics raid, Guy was initially charged with capital murder. However, last Tuesday, he was found guilty of a lesser charge of murder. Under the terms of his sentence, Guy is eligible for parole after 30 years.
Earlier on Monday, the defense and prosecution presented their closing arguments. The defense requested a life sentence, while the prosecution, led by Assistant District Attorney Debbie Garrett, highlighted Guy’s history of criminal convictions in other states, including robbery and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, to advocate for a harsher sentence. Garrett labeled Guy as a “career criminal” who had spent over half his life in prison.
Guy’s brother, Garett Galloway, had previously stated that Guy was trying to turn his life around before the shooting. The defense attorney, Jon Evans, during the sentencing, referenced Guy’s challenging childhood, losing both parents when he was young.
When the sentence was announced, Guy showed no reaction, but the courtroom was filled with emotion from Dinwiddie’s family and colleagues. Victim impact statements were given by Dinwiddie’s family members and a member of the Killeen PD SWAT team, with Dinwiddie’s niece expressing forgiveness but detailing the profound impact of the loss on their family.
It was revealed during the trial that Dinwiddie had contemplated leaving the SWAT team and had planned to be off duty on the day of the incident. His commitment to his team and duty was underscored by his family.
Dinwiddie’s family extended their gratitude to Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza and Assistant District Attorneys Fred Burns and Debbie Garrett, as well as the jury, for their roles in the trial. Garza reflected on the lengthy process leading to the trial’s conclusion, expressing relief that justice had finally been served.
Galloway, in his comments last week, acknowledged that regardless of the verdict, the outcome would be tragic for both families involved. Dinwiddie’s sister, Ellen Dinwiddie-Smith, spoke of her brother’s belief in justice and the necessity for it in this case.
