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Thread: Cedric Joseph Marks - Texas Death Row

  1. #11
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    Muskegon woman could face death penalty if convicted of 2 Texas murders

    By Lynn Moore
    MLive.com

    MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI -- A Muskegon woman faces the death penalty if convicted of two murders in Texas for which her boyfriend, a mixed-martial arts fighter, also is charged.

    Maya Renee Maxwell, 26, has been indicted by a grand jury in Bell County, Texas, for capital murder of multiple persons and tampering with physical evidence, which was the car belonging to one of the victims.

    She is charged in connection with the murders of Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin, who investigators believe were killed in Killeen, Texas, and buried in Oklahoma, according to arrest warrant affidavits.

    Cedric Joseph Marks, 44, also has been indicted for capital murder of multiple persons in the deaths of Scott, 28, and Swearingen, 32. It’s alleged that the two were killed Jan. 3, 2019, and were reported missing Jan. 4, 2019, according to arrest affidavits obtained by MLive/Muskegon Chronicle.

    Marks’ wife, Ginell McDonough of Muskegon, has been charged in Muskegon County District Court with harboring fugitives – Marks and Maxwell -- and lying to investigators.

    Indictments against Maxwell and Marks say they caused Swearingin’s death by “strangulation” and “asphyxiation” and also killed Scott by “homicidal violence” at about the same time. Scott and Marks reportedly were in a prior dating relationship.

    An affidavit for Marks’ arrest indicates that Maxwell told detectives that Scott and Swearingin were killed by Marks at a home in Killeen to which they had been taken, on Jan. 3. Maxwell told police she heard sounds of struggles after Marks entered separate rooms where Swearingin and Scott were “located,” the affidavit states. When he left each of the rooms, the victims were deceased, the affidavit states.

    Maxwell told detectives that the bodies of Scott and Swearingin were buried in Oklahoma, and police later located them at the spot she had described, the affidavit says.

    “Maxwell also admitted that she was present before and after the deaths of Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin and was present at the transport and burial of the bodies,” the affidavit states.

    Maxwell’s arrest affidavit states that Swearingen and Scott were reported missing Jan. 4 and were last seen at Swearingin’s home. The next day, Swearingin’s car was found in Austin, Texas, and the investigation led to Maxwell who admitted she was involved with the transport of the vehicle to conceal it from law enforcement, according to her arrest affidavit.

    Maxwell told police Marks also was involved in moving Swearingin’s car, and he too is charged with tampering with physical evidence, affidavits and grand jury indictments show.

    Marks escaped on Feb. 3 from a private prisoner transport van that was taking him from Kent County to face double-murder charges in Texas. He escaped when the van stopped at a McDonald’s restaurant in Conroe, Texas, and was found nine hours later hiding in a trash can.

    It’s alleged that McDonough, 37, allowed Marks and Maxwell to stay with her from Jan. 5-8 after they returned from Texas. Marks also was at McDonough’s home before he left with Maxwell on Jan. 1 for Texas, Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Chief Trial Attorney Matt Roberts said earlier.

    Investigators found a suitcase with Marks' papers and an assault rifle “concealed” at McDonough’s U.S. Army Reserve Office in Muskegon, Roberts said. McDonough is a sergeant with the U.S. Army, according to her attorney.

    Marks and Maxwell were arrested Jan. 8 in Grandville.

    A mixed martial arts fighter who used the nickname “Spiderman,” Marks reportedly trained at a Muskegon area gym and also taught self-defense classes to women.

    https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/...s-murders.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  2. #12
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    Marks' pretrial delayed; judge criticizes waste of court’s time

    By Deborah McKeon
    Temple Daily Telegram

    BELTON — The pretrial hearing for Cedric Marks didn’t occur as scheduled Thursday in Bell County District Judge Fancy Jezek’s courtroom.

    Marks, who is accused of a capital murder of multiple persons, tampering with evidence, burglary of a habitation with intent of other felony and several misdemeanor offenses, wasn’t in court Thursday.

    He is charged with the homicides of Temple residents 28-year-old Jenna Scott, ex-girlfriend, and 32-year-old Michael Swearingin, Scott’s friend. Maya Maxwell, Marks’ girlfriend, is also accused of capital murder of multiple persons and tampering with evidence.

    Both remained in the Bell County Jail on Thursday.

    Jezek wasn’t happy with either the defense or the prosecutor’s office when she told them not to take up the court’s time next time if they didn’t have anything to do.

    “Call me and we can do it by phone instead,” Jezek said.

    Family and friends of Swearingin were in the courtroom, and their expressions showed their dismay that another court date was changed.

    Two public defenders from the Regional Public Defenders for Capital Cases office were added to the defense team for Marks more than a month ago.

    Present to represent Marks was Alexander Calhoun, and joining him in the future will be Robert Cowie, Calhoun said. Making up the rest of the team is Michael White, who is Marks’ court-appointed attorney.

    Calhoun received some discovery Wednesday night and is expected to get more within three weeks or a month, Assistant District Attorney Michael Waldman confirmed for the prosecution. Then Calhoun will need about a month to become familiar with the case and the discovery evidence, Calhoun said.

    The new pretrial was set for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29.

    Calhoun also requested money to reimburse the team for documents needed to defend Marks — like information on his background, history, mental health and education. Jezek advised him to submit receipts for reimbursement and approved the amount up to $1,500.

    White believes bringing the regional public defenders in on this case is a good idea if Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza seeks the death penalty if Marks is convicted of capital murder of multiple persons.

    “Garza’s been very tight-lipped,” White said of the lack of announcement from Garza’s office about a death penalty decision.

    “However, I thoroughly expect the death penalty (being sought),” White added.

    “We hope to do a good job finding justice in this case,” Calhoun said after the brief hearing.

    http://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_...f167ee143.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  3. #13
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    Edited:

    DA to seek death penalty for Cedric Marks

    By Deborah McKeon
    Temple Daily Telegram

    BELTON — The Bell County District Attorney’s office will seek the death penalty for Cedric Marks if he is convicted.

    “We have filed with the district clerk our notice that we will seek the death penalty in the Cedric Marks case, in connection with the murders of Michael Swearingin and Jenna Scott,” Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza confirmed Monday.

    http://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_...50a5059e5.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  4. #14
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    Edited:

    Accused double-murderer Cedric Marks makes court appearance

    Cedric Marks, who is accused of murdering a pair of Temple friends, had a Bell County court appearance Thursday

    By Paris Jones and Cole Johnson
    KCENTV.com

    TEMPLE, Texas — Editor's note: The attached video is from an earlier article when Marks pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence, burglary and capital murder.

    Accused double-murderer Cedric Marks made an appearance at a Bell County court Thursday, but only spoke publicly once to confirm his identity to the judge.

    Marks faces charges of tampering with evidence, burglary and capital murder related to the deaths of his ex-girlfriend Jenna Scott and her friend Michael Swearingin.

    Marks said he was "absolutely not guilty" of any of the charges during a court appearance in May.

    According to the office of Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza, prosecutors will be pushing for the death penalty in Marks' trial.

    Multiple motions passed Thursday, including the defense's request that Marks not be shackled in public and wear street clothes during the jury selection and actual trial.

    Scott and Swearingin went missing on Jan. 4, 2019, according to their families and police. Police said their bodies were found in a rural Oklahoma town on Jan. 15.

    https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/...9-2b97c0023a4b
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  5. #15
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    DNA evidence discussed during Cedric Marks pre-trial hearing

    By Nohely Mendoza
    Fox 44 News

    BELL COUNTY, Texas – 100 items are being tested for DNA evidence in the Cedric Marks capital murder case.

    This is what was discussed during a pretrial hearing Thursday afternoon.

    The 44-year-old is being held on a $1.7 million bond for the murder of Temple friends Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin.

    Thursday’s pretrial hearing involved two motions – one of which has to do with seven drops of blood on a light green-colored towel. The defense either wants the DNA testing to be done under video recording or have those samples tested in an outside lab. This is only the newest information in a case which began in 2018.

    One year ago, the lives of two Temple families changed. Friends Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin went missing. Investigators found their bodies buried in Oklahoma about two weeks later.

    During this time, Cedric Marks was not named as a person of interest, but he did have a warrant out for his arrest for burglarizing Scott’s home in 2018.

    Police arrested Marks in Michigan three days after finding Swearingin’s car abandoned in Austin. A week later, the bodies of the friends were found, and Marks was to be extradited to Bell County.

    In February, Marks escaped custody in Conroe and was found after a nine-hour manhunt.

    The next day he woke up in the Bell County Jail with formal capital murder charges, and has his bond set at $1.7 million.

    By April, a grand jury indicted Cedric Marks. Court documents claim Marks knowingly caused the death of Swearingin by strangulation and Scott by homicidal violence at a Killeen home on January 3, 2019.

    Marks pleaded not guilty to all charges, including burglary and capital murder, the following month.

    If found guilty, Marks faces life in prison or the death penalty.

    Thursday was Marks’s third pretrial hearing. Three weeks from today, we are expecting to hear from witnesses about the DNA evidence on the towel and possibly the other items.

    https://www.fox44news.com/news/local...trial-hearing/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  6. #16
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    Related/Edited:

    The wife of Capital Murder suspect Cedric Marks pleads guilty to hiding him from authorities

    By WOODTV.com Staff

    MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD/KWKT) — The wife of Cedric Marks, who is accused of killing Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin, has admitted to helping him evade authorities in Michigan.

    Ginell McDonough, of Muskegon, pleaded guilty Jan. 31 to a felony count of harboring a felon.

    McDonough and Marks were arrested in January 2019 — McDonough in Muskegon and Marks in Grand Rapids.

    McDonough was scheduled to stand trial starting Tuesday. With the trial canceled, sentencing is now set for Nov. 13.

    https://www.fox44news.com/news/the-w...m-authorities/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  7. #17
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    Cedric Marks Charged With Murder In Connection To 2009 Abduction Of April Pease In Bloomington

    WCCO News

    MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — After more than a decade of work there are new developments in a missing person’s case following a murder investigation that spanned four states. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has charged two people with second-degree murder in connection to the 2009 abduction of April Pease.

    Fourty-five year-old Cedric Joseph Marks of Texas and 34-year-old Kellee Kristine Sorensen of Washington are currently in police custody in their home states.

    According to a briefing released on Monday, in 2019 Bloomington detectives began focusing on Cedric Marks as a person of interest in the disappearance of Pease, following his un-related arrest in Texas for capital murder.

    Marks had previously fathered a child with Pease while they were living in Washington State. Then, in 2009 Pease and her then 4-year-old child relocated to a refuge for domestic assault victim’s in Bloomington following several alleged domestic assaults by Marks.

    Court documents say that Pease was transferred to the Bloomington shelter after being located by Marks at another shelter in Washington. Some time after the transfer, police investigators say Marks and Sorenson traveled from Washington to Minnesota to find Pease in March 2009. Pease was allegedly taken against her will and driven southbound on I-35, before being killed at an unknown location by Marks as Sorenson sat in the vehicle, according to statements obtained by detectives.

    Pease’s body has never been found. Monday marks the anniversary of her disappearance.

    https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/...n-bloomington/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  8. #18
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    Can accused killer’s death penalty trial be held virtually? Local judge will decide

    BELTON, Texas (KWTX) - Attorneys for a Central Texas man accused of killing two longtime friends and burying their bodies in Oklahoma asked a Bell County state district judge Tuesday to delay his death penalty trial until in-person proceedings can resume.

    Cedric Marks, 46, of Killeen, and Maya Renee Maxwell, 27, of Muskegon, Mich., are named in capital murder indictments in the deaths of Jenna Scott, 28, and her friend Michael Swearingin, 32, whose bodies were found on Jan. 15, 2019 in rural Okfusee County, Okla.

    Marks attorney, Robert Cowie, argued Tuesday during an online hearing that a virtual trial would be unconstitutional.

    He said Lifesize, the company providing live streaming for Bell County courts, records the IP addresses anyone who watches court proceedings online.

    He said that is much more information than a person would have to provide than if they simply entered a courtroom.

    He said it creates a "chilling effect" that would violate Marks' constitutional right to a public trial.

    State District Judge Fancy Jezek said she wants to hear from Bell County's IT department and from Lifesize before deciding how to proceed with the trial.

    Scott and Swearingin disappeared on Jan. 3, 2019.

    Swearingin's 2016 Hyundai Genesis was also missing, but was found on Jan. 5, 2019 in Austin.

    Marks was arrested on Jan. 8, 2019 in Kent County, Mich., on a Temple burglary warrant stemming from a break-in on Aug. 21, 2018 at Scott’s home.

    Maxwell, who was arrested on Jan. 11, 2019 in Muskegon on a Bell County warrant charging tampering with evidence, admitted that "she was involved with leaving Swearingin's vehicle in Austin in hopes to conceal it from law enforcement, a warrant affidavit says.

    She was present on Jan. 3, 2019 at a home in Killeen when Swearingin and Scott were killed, according to an affidavit.

    "Maxwell said that both Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin were alive at the time they were brought to the Killeen residence," the affidavit says.

    "Marks then entered the room where Michael Swearingin was located and when Marks left the room, Michael Swearingin was deceased," the affidavit says.

    "Marks then entered the room where Jenna Scott was located, and when he left that room, Maxwell reported that Jenna Scott was deceased," the affidavit said.

    "Maxwell reported that she heard a struggle when Marks entered the rooms with both individuals," the affidavit said.

    She provided information about where the bodies of the two friends were buried, the affidavit says.

    Marks was named in a capital murder warrant in connection with the killings on Feb. 3, 2019, the same day he escaped from a prisoner transport van in Conroe.

    He was on the run for about nine hours before he was recaptured.

    He's also charged with interference with an emergency call, false report, and violation of a protective order, according to online records.

    Both remain in the Bell County Jail, Marks in lieu of bonds totaling more than $2 million and Maxwell in lieu of $750,000 bond.

    https://www.kwtx.com/2020/07/22/can-...e-will-decide/
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  9. #19
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    Edited:

    Court hearings for Cedric Marks won’t be livestreamed, judge rules

    By Deborah McKeon
    Temple Daily Telegram

    BELTON — A Bell County judge decided Tuesday that virtual hearings for capital murder suspect Cedric Marks will not be allowed and future hearings must be held in a public courtroom.

    https://www.tdtnews.com/news/central...299e0638c.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  10. #20
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    Several motions considered in Marks’ pretrial hearing

    By Deborah McKeon
    Temple Daily Telegram

    BELTON — Several motions were taken under advisement while others were denied in a Thursday hearing for Cedric Marks by newly-appointed Bell County 426th District Court Judge Steve Duskie.

    Marks, a former mixed martial arts fighter, is charged with capital murder of multiple persons — the Dec. 3, 2018, deaths of Jenna Scott, 28, and Michael Swearingin, 32, both of Temple. He also is charged with the suspected death in 2009 of April Pease of Minnesota.

    Thursday’s pretrial hearing was in the 146th District courtroom, the largest one at the Bell County Justice Center in Belton, so social distancing rules could be observed.

    The hearing also was livestreamed — something previous 426h District Court Judge Fancy Jezek had ruled against during an August hearing.

    Robert Cowie is one of Marks’ attorneys appointed by the Regional Public Defenders for Capital Cases office. He objected to the livestreaming because he said it didn’t allow Marks to have open court proceedings.

    Cowie brought up some rulings Jezek previously made because he objected to them or wanted changes.

    He wants copies of all of the files, including handwritten notes, sent to the FBI and Quantico by the District Attorney’s office during the last few months. His point was he doesn’t want the state to hold back any information they don’t think is relevant.

    First Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Newell said the files were located at different locations and asked Duskie to address the files later.

    Duskie took Cowie’s motion under advisement.

    Cowie wanted information about any plea deals offered to witnesses to testify — anything they asked for and wanted.

    Marks’ jail clothing and shackles in the courtroom were brought up again by Cowie. He wanted the judge to allow Marks to wear street clothes even during any hearings because it could cause someone to decide he is a criminal based on his clothing.

    District Attorney Henry Garza was in the courtroom, and he reacted to several motions filed by Marks’ attorneys.

    Garza asked Duskie to uphold Jezek’s Oct. 17, 2019, ruling that said Marks could wear street clothes and not be shackled during his trial, but not during the hearings.

    “His assumption of innocence has already been jeopardized,” Cowie said.

    Michael White, one of Marks’ attorneys, said it is possible someone in the courtroom could see Marks in his jail clothing and presume his guilt — but other offenders wear jail clothing during hearings.

    Duskie ruled against Cowie’s motion.

    In addition, Cowie wanted a list of any “jailhouse” informants to be used during the trial and wanted them disclosed 60 days in advance. He said the defense wants the names of any “snitches” who is going to say anything about Marks.

    Duskie took the motion under advisement.

    Bench conferences were discussed during the hearing.

    Jezek agreed with Cowie’s past motion on Oct. 17, 2019, that any “bench moments” between her and the attorneys should take place outside of the jury’s presence. She made Cowie and his legal team responsible for asking each time for the jurors to be removed.

    Cowie doesn’t want the meetings recorded by the court reporter if the state is up there at the same time as the defense, such as for an ex parte motion, White said. Cowie also said the hearings and trial shouldn’t be “bound by Jezek’s rulings.”

    Duskie denied Cowie’s motion, and the hearing concluded at 2 p.m.

    When he was reached after the hearing, Cowie declined to comment or answer questions and said all comments must come from the chief public defender, Ray Keith — even though he wasn’t in the courtroom.

    Keith didn’t return a phone call before press time.

    https://kdhnews.com/news/region/seve...14068bd93.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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