Bell County (FOX 44/KWKT) — After more than four years of investigation, hearings, and legal wrangling, the first day of actual testimony in the Cedric Marks Capital Murder trial is just hours away. The case starts Monday morning at 9 a.m. in the 426th District Court in Bell County.
Marks is accused of killing Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin, who were both reported missing from Temple on January 4th, 2019. Investigators later found their bodies in Oklahoma.
Scott and Marks were at one time romantically involved, but had broken up. Swearingin and Scott were longtime friends.
Marks is representing himself, with the help of John P. Galligan. Marks fired his attorneys and petitioned to represent himself in 2021.
Marks pleaded not guilty to all charges, including burglary and capital murder. If found guilty, Marks faces life in prison or the death penalty.
During almost two months of selection, Marks and the prosecution interviewed close to 200 potential jury members. On April 10th, they made their final cuts for the jury and alternates.
Marks’ co-defendant is Maya Maxwell. She is accused of helping him dispose of the bodies of Scott and Swearingin, as well as Swearingin’s car.
Maxwell also gave birth to a son she shares with Marks while behind bars. He is now 3 years old and at last report is in foster care.
FOX 44‘s Earl Stoudemire will bring you updates on the criminal case throughout the trial. You can follow him on Twitter here.