Killing of Henry Marrow - Killing

Killing

On the evening of May 11 1970, Henry Marrow, and a number of friends were playing whist at the Tidewater Seafood Market, a popular location for young men in town. Just before 9-o'clock, Marrow left the Tidewater's awning, telling friends that he planned to visit Robert Teel's shop, only 30 meters away, in order to buy Fanny Chavis a Coca-Cola. Robert Teel's 18-year-old son Larry, and Larry's wife Judy, were unpacking motorcycles in the parking lot. Marrow made a remark, the content of which is disputed and unknown. During the subsequent trial, Judy Teel testified that Marrow had spoken "ugly" words to her. Larry shouted, "that's my wife your talking to," at which point both Robert Teel and his stepson Roger Oakley, who had been working nearby unseen, ran into the shop. According to onlookers, they retrieved their guns. Later describing Marrow's killing, Teel stated into a recording device, "that nigger committed suicide, coming in here wanting to four-letter-word my daughter-in-law."

Marrow told Larry Teel he was speaking to two African American women standing nearby, an explanation Larry did not accept. Larry then attempted to hit Marrow with a wooden block, and Marrow drew a knife, while slowly backing away. Edward Webb, a witness at the Tidewater, stated that he and other young men tried to convince Marrow to leave, before running. A friend of Marrow's, Boo Chavis, later explained that Larry "didn't believe in running", adding "that's probably why he's dead." Marrow finally fled after Oakley and Robert Teel emerged from the Teel shop carrying two shotguns and a rifle.

According to Tyson, Teel fired his shotgun at Marrow, striking him and also wounding Chavis, who had just stumbled upon the scene. Teel fired a second time, knocking Marrow to the ground; Oakley then shot him twice, also with a shotgun. At this point, Marrow was still conscious, bleeding on the ground. Roger Oakley, Robert and Larry Teel approached him, and began to beat him on the ground, while Robert Teel repeatedly exclaimed "kill him." According to witness Evelyn Downey, the three men stood around Marrow kicking him, while Robert Teel shouted "shoot the son of a bitch, shoot the son of bitching nigger." Then, according to Tyson, either Robert or Larry fired a single bullet from the .22 rifle into Marrow's head. At trial, Oakley testified that he had held the gun that fired the killing shot, discharged accidentally when his stepfather had jarred his shoulder. Chavis testified that Larry Teel shot Marrow. The Teels then locked up their shop and left for home, while Boo Chavis, his brother Jimmy, and Webb were able to collect Marrow, still living, and take him to the Granville Hospital.

After doctors failed to stabilize him, Marrow was taken from Granville to Duke University Medical Center; he died on his way there.