Fort Cavazos Soldier Acquitted of Murder in Civilian Shooting

In a case that has garnered significant attention within military and civilian communities alike, Staff Sgt. Marlone L. Best of Fort Cavazos was acquitted of murder charges on January 9, 2025. The charges stemmed from the February 17, 2024, shooting death of 28-year-old civilian Larry Kidd Jr. in Killeen, Texas. The military panel concluded that Best acted in self-defense during the altercation.

Background of the Incident

The incident last February took place at a Wingstop restaurant in Killeen, Texas, and involved Staff Sgt. Marlone Best, and Larry Kidd Jr., a 28-year-old civilian. The conflict between the two men stemmed from Best’s relationship with Kidd’s ex-wife, which had led to months of tension. Best’s defense team revealed that he had endured nearly 10 months of harassment and threats from Kidd leading up to the incident. Best reportedly contacted the Killeen Police Department three times about these threats but claimed he received no meaningful help.

On the night of the shooting, Kidd was at the restaurant to pick up an order for his job as a food delivery driver. Shortly after, Best entered the restaurant to collect his own order, leaving his two young daughters, ages 2 and 6, in his car. Upon seeing Best, Kidd allegedly approached him, bumped into him with his shoulder, and threatened, “I’m going to kill you.”

The situation quickly escalated into a physical altercation inside the restaurant, which spilled out into the parking lot. During the scuffle, Best’s handgun fell to the ground. As the fight continued outside, Best fired four shots, striking Kidd twice. This unfortunate sequence of events led to a murder trial, where Best faced charges of unpremeditated murder and murder while engaging in dangerous behavior that disregarded the safety of others.

History of Threats and Harassment

The defense outlined several instances of harassment, including multiple threatening text messages from Kidd, an incident where Kidd allegedly showed up at Best’s home with three other men banging on the door and trying to provoke a fight and another where Kidd reportedly tried to hit Best’s car while Best’s young daughters were riding with him. Best had contacted the Killeen Police Department about these threats.

The defense argued that this ongoing harassment, combined with a lack of support from authorities, contributed to Best’s state of mind during the confrontation at the Wingstop restaurant. The tension between the two men stemmed from Best dating Kidd’s ex-wife, who was also the mother of Kidd’s children. This relationship seemed to fuel the prolonged period of threats and harassment that Best described.

However, the prosecution countered this argument by pointing out that there had been no communication between the two men for more than two months prior to the fatal encounter, suggesting that the history of threats was not directly relevant to the events that unfolded that night.

Court-Martial Proceedings

The court-martial proceedings for Staff Sgt. Marlone Best took place at the Lawrence Williams Judicial Center on Fort Cavazos, starting on January 7, 2025, and concluding on January 10, 2025. The trial spanned just three days, during which key aspects of the case were presented and debated. The jury was made up of seven men and one woman, with half being officers. Additional security measures were ordered by Military Judge Col. Michael Friess after reports surfaced that Kidd’s family members had threatened a witness.

Evidence presented during the trial included footage from three different cameras inside the Wingstop restaurant, showing the altercation and the shooting. Witness testimony was also heard, including that of Alonshae Lindsey, Kidd’s girlfriend, who shared her limited knowledge of the interactions between Kidd and Best. The defense team, led by Maj. Steven Dray and Jon Shelburne, argued that Best acted in self-defense after enduring months of threats and harassment from Kidd. On the other hand, the prosecution, represented by Capt. Eric Fenton and the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, claimed that Best had initiated the fight by punching Kidd before firing four shots.

After over three hours of deliberation, the jury found Best not guilty on both charges of murder. The verdict marked the conclusion of a highly contested trial, with the defense successfully convincing the jury that Best’s actions were justified given the circumstances.

Verdict and Aftermath

Following the acquittal, Best expressed hope of resuming his Army career. He had been scheduled to attend recruiting school the week after the incident but now looks forward to continuing his service.

His attorney, Jon Shelburne, remarked, “This was simply an act of self-defense and defending his children. We’re just happy that the truth was able to be shown in court.”

The case, prosecuted by the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel at the Lawrence Williams Judicial Center, highlighted significant issues surrounding self-defense and the handling of ongoing threats by local law enforcement. The verdict brought an end to a high-profile trial that had drawn attention both within and beyond the military community.

Summing Up

This case shows just how complicated things can get when service members are involved in legal disputes outside the military. The acquittal of Staff Sgt. Marlone Best highlights how crucial it is to carefully consider self-defense claims, especially when there’s a history of threats and harassment. It also raises important questions about how service members navigate conflicts in civilian settings and what can be done to better address these challenges in the future.