In first interview since being accused of murder in Texas, a TV bailiff sobs, “I live with it every day”
Former Texas Deputy Sheriff Renard Spivey had a long television career as a courtroom bailiff on the show Justice for All with Judge Cristina Perez. In 2019, his life changed dramatically when he was arrested for murdering his wife.
Just after 3 a.m. on July 28, 2019, police were called to the Houston home of Renard and his 52-year-old wife, Patricia. When first responders arrived, they found Patricia dead in the closet with multiple gunshot wounds in and out. Reynard, 63, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. He told first responders that he and his wife had been arguing and that they were fighting over his gun when the shots rang out. Officials expressed doubts about Renard’s claims.
Dick DeGuerin
They wanted to know why a man as tall as Leonard — 6 feet 3 inches tall and about 290 pounds — would need to fight for a gun with his wife, who was only 5 feet 6 inches tall. They also questioned how a gun could accidentally explode multiple times. Leonard was accused of murdering his wife. “The multiple shootings absolutely gave everyone pause as to why this wasn’t an accident,” explained Lisa Andrews, a CBS News consultant and former prosecutor.
In his first interview, Renard Spivey sat down with 48 Hours contributor Natalie Morales to tell his story “The Trial of Deputy Spivey” Airs Saturday, January 11 at 10/9c on CBS and Paramount+.
On the evening of July 27, 2019, Leonard said he and his wife spent a quiet night at their home in Houston. But he said they soon began arguing, with Patricia questioning whether he was having an affair.
“I told her no, that was crazy,” Renard said.
Leonard said Patricia’s suspicions stemmed from a recent lack of intimacy in their relationship. Still, Leonard said he tried to give Patricia a kiss before going to bed, but she wasn’t interested in feelings. He said when he approached her, she turned the phone away so he couldn’t see it.
“Every time I walked up to her, she would turn her phone down and I would kiss her. She said, ‘I’m not going to kiss you.'”
Leonard said he was disturbed by this and was curious about the contents of Patricia’s phone. When he thought Patricia was asleep, he said: He grabbed her phone from the bedside table and put it in the closet. Moments later, Patricia showed up at the door with a gun and demanded her cellphone, he said.
“Then when I turned around and saw her finger on the trigger, I was scared for my life,” Renard said.
Renard, then a deputy with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, said he thought the best plan was to try to get the weapon back from his wife. He said he tried, but during the fight, the gun went off.
“Everything happened so fast,” Renard said. “As I grabbed the top of the weapon, she put one finger on the trigger and pulled back, and the gun exploded, striking me in the leg.”
The gun was fired two more times, hitting Patricia in the arm and chest, Renard said. Leonard called 911 and told the operator: “Shots fired.” According to Leonard, Patricia was still breathing. Under the operator’s guidance, he attempted chest compressions. In the 911 call, Leonard can be heard struggling.
“It’s really exciting because this is my wife, you know?” Leonard said. “You tried to save your wife and you got shot.”
Patricia was pronounced dead at the scene.
Leonard was taken into custody with a gunshot wound to the leg and transported to a local hospital for treatment. At the hospital, detectives wanted to interview Leonard, but he refused. Leonard told 48 Hours that at the time, union representatives who were lawyers advised him not to provide a statement.
Renard’s attorneys asked for bail to be set at $50,000 while awaiting trial. Leonard was granted bail and released under conditions imposed by the judge, which included a ban on Leonard attending Patricia’s funeral.
“That’s my wife. I’m in love with my wife. Why not go there?” Leonard said. “I just wanted to pay my respects. That’s all.”
Four and a half years passed between Patricia’s death and Renard’s trial for murder. Renard said he spent much of that time with his family, working out at the gym and going to church.
Renard’s trial begins in November 2023. He was represented by the famous DeGuerin family of lawyers, headed by Dick DeGuerin. His lawyers presented evidence that Patricia’s death was not intentional. Leonard testified in his own defense.
“My attorney instructed me to do that because if I didn’t, it would feel like I was guilty of something, trying to hide something, and I didn’t do that,” Renard said.
DeGuerin showed Morales the potential for accidental firing from the gun.
“The gun had no external safety,” DeGuerin said. “So, if someone puts their finger on the trigger, they just push it and it explodes.”
The case has gone to a jury. As a former bailiff, seeing a jury enter a courtroom is nothing new for Renard. But this jury will decide his fate. After two days and 12 hours of deliberation, they reached a verdict: not guilty.
“I fell on the floor crying. Sobbing. My lawyer helped me get up,” Renard said.
