MASON COUNTY, Mich. — The Jan. 14 shooting of William Marble by Michigan State Police Trooper James Luttrull has been ruled justified by the Mason County Prosecutor.
Marble, 68, was shot and killed after allegedly pointing his gun at the trooper.
Michigan State Police officials said they drove to his home in Amber Township responding to a 911 hang-up call.
As Luttrull checked on Marble’s wife Nancy in the home, police said Marble appeared and pointed a weapon at him. That’s when Luttrull shot him in the chest.
Luttrull’s body microphone also apparently recorded Marble threatening his wife with violence prior to State Police entering his home, according to the prosecutor’s ruling.
“Luttrull knocked on the door along with (Trooper Alexander) Hammerle and Nancy Marble opened the door. Both troopers were in full uniform and had driven fully marked State Police vehicles to the house. She announced very loudly ‘The police are here, Bill,’ as she opened the door,” Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola writes in an 18-page ruling.
“After Luttrull had a very brief conversation with Nancy Marble, she called out for Bill again and stepped aside. William Marble came from the opposite end of the house and had a semi-automatic handgun in his right hand pointed at the midsections of the two troopers. The troopers then drew their duty weapons and stated “drop” before Luttrull fired one shot from his duty weapon striking Mr. Marble.”
Marble was a retired teacher from Mason County Eastern Schools, where he taught business courses for 33 years.
The news came as a surprise to one of Marble’s former students and colleagues. Paul Shoup, Mason County Eastern Schools superintendent, said Marble’s alleged actions are out of character. Shoup noted that he had not seen Marble in several years.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of what transpired, but it wasn’t the gentleman that I know,” Shoup told FOX 17.
Shoup said he worked with Marble for 10 years.
“He was well-liked, well-respected by his colleagues, well-liked by the students, great sense of humor, and a great wit,” Shoup recalled.
Marble retired in 2002.
“He always had a smile on his face,” Shoup recalled.
