Former Texas sheriff's deputy Renard Spivey had a long career on television as a courtroom bailiff on the show “Justice for All with Judge Christina Perez.” His life changed a lot in 2019 when he was arrested for the murder of his wife.
Shortly 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 at the entry and exit. Renard, 63, was shot in the leg. He told first responders that he and his wife were arguing and fighting over his gun when shots were fired. Authorities became skeptical of Renard's claims.
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He wondered why a man of Renard's size – 6'3″ and about 290 pounds – would need to struggle with his wife, who was just 5'6″, for a gun. He also questioned how a gun could accidentally fire multiple times. Renard was accused of murdering his wife. CBS News consultant and former prosecutor Lisa Andrews explains, “The multiple shots certainly made everyone wonder why this wasn't an accident.”
In his first interview, Renard Spivey sat down with “48 Hours” contributor Natalie Morales to tell his story. “Deputy Spivey on Trial,” Airing Saturday, January 11 at 10/9c on CBS and Paramount+.
On the evening of July 27, 2019, Renard says he and his wife were spending a quiet night at their home in Houston. But, he says, they soon began arguing and Patricia confronted him and asked if he was having an affair.
“I told him no, this is crazy,” says Renard.
Renard says that Patricia's suspicions stemmed from a recent lack of intimacy in their relationship. Nevertheless, Renard says, he tried to kiss Patricia before going to sleep, but she was not interested in affection. She said that when he came near her she turned her phone so that she could not see him.
“And every time I went near her, she turned off her phone and then I was trying to kiss her. She said, 'I'm not kissing you.'”
Renard says he was disturbed by this and was curious to know what was on Patricia's phone. When he thinks Patricia is sleeping, he says, He grabbed her phone from her nightstand and took it to the closet. A few moments later, he says, Patricia appeared at the door holding his gun and demanding his phone.
“And then when I turned around and saw his finger on the trigger, I was scared for my life,” Renard says.
Renard, who was a deputy with the Harris County Sheriff's Office at the time, says he thought the best plan was to try to pry the weapon out of his wife's hands. He says he tried and during the struggle the gun went off.
“Everything happened so fast,” says Renard. “When I grabbed the top of the weapon, he put his finger on the trigger and pulled it back and the gun went off and I was shot in the leg.”
Renard says the gun was fired twice more, hitting Patricia in the arm and chest. Renard called 911 and told the operator, “Shots fired.” According to Renard, Patricia was still breathing. As the operator directed him, he attempted chest compressions. On the 911 call, Renard can be heard struggling.
“It was really emotional because the thing is, this is my wife, you know?” Renard says. “And you try to save your wife and you're shot.”
Patricia was pronounced dead at the scene.
Renard was taken into custody and taken to a local hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to his leg. Detectives wanted to interview Renard at the hospital, but he refused. Renard told “48 Hours” that at the time, his union representative, who was a lawyer, advised him not to make a statement.
While he awaited trial, Renard's lawyers requested bail, which was set at $50,000. Renard was granted bail and released on the judge's conditions, which included barring Renard from attending Patricia's funeral.
“She's my wife. I loved my wife. Why not be there?” Renard 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 her murder. Renard said that during that time he spent most of his 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 – led by Dick DeGuerin. Her lawyers presented the case that Patricia's death was not intentional. Renard took the stand and testified in his own defense.
Renard says, “My – my lawyers instructed me to do this, because if I didn't do it, it would feel like I was guilty of something, trying to hide something, which I'm not. Was.”
DeGuerin showed Morales how possible accidental firing would be with this type of gun.
“There is no external safety on this gun,” says DeGuerin. “So, if someone has their finger on that trigger, just a little bit of pressure and it goes off.”
The case went to the jury. As a former bailiff, seeing the jury enter the courtroom was nothing new for Renard. But this jury will decide his fate. After 12 hours of deliberations over two days, they came back with a verdict: not guilty.
“I fall to the floor crying. Boohoo is crying. My lawyer helps me up,” Renard says.