Man Convicted of Attempted Murder of Police Officers
On August 8, 2022, in Department 17 of the Tulare County Superior Court, TCDA prosecutors secured a guilty verdict for Marwin McDarment, age 44, for the attempted murder and assault with a firearm of multiple peace officers during a 2011 shootout on the Tule River Reservation.
On September 9, 2011, after an argument in the morning, McDarment arrived at a house on the reservation and pulled a gun, a revolver, on the occupants. McDarment fled when authorities were notified. In route to the incident, two TCSO units passed McDarment’s truck. Aware of McDarment’s violent past, they attempted a felony traffic stop. When one deputy approached with his firearm drawn, McDarment opened fire. During the shootout, an officer with the Department of Public Safety tribal police joined TCSO to subdue McDarment. After surrendering, officers took McDarment into custody while he cursed, thrashed, and kicked his legs.
The jury convicted McDarment of two counts of premeditated attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a firearm of a peace officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. The court found true that McDarment possessed prior strikes for assault with a deadly weapon (1996), attempted carjacking (2004) and assault with a deadly weapon with great bodily injury (2004).
Since 2011, McDarment has been represented by eight attorneys and filed numerous trial continuances.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 29, 2022, at the South County Justice Center where McDarment faces over 190 years in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Jessica Weatherly and was investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Supervising Deputy District Attorney Jessica Weatherly (559) 636-5494