Michael Marshall’s story
Michael Marshall was killed by Denver law enforcement while held in jail for being unable to pay a $100 bond
Michael was arrested for misdemeanor trespass and was held on a $100 bond at the Denver City Jail. During a psychiatric episode in jail, he acted erratically. In response, deputies held him down, crushing his spine until he died.
Michael’s Story | Natalia Marshall
“My uncle, Michael, was a joyous person who loved my grandma, Elvis and Jesus. He called the police on himself as he was going through a psychotic episode. Instead of giving him help, he was sent to jail. It killed him.
— Natalia Marshall | Michael’s Niece
Who Michael Was
Uncle Michael Lee Marshall (Uncle Mike) was the son on John Marshall and Hattie Lee Black-Marshall. Uncle Mike suffered from schizophrenia mental illness as you all know, but there was so much more to know about him. Uncle Mike was a self-proclaimed prophet of the streets, Professor Wolf as he’d say.
We as the Marshall family knew him as a caring, loving man, a man willing to help the homeless, a willing man to do what he could for his sisters, brother, nieces, and nephews. Uncle Mike had a hustle mentality that was out of this world, with a contagious laugh, and a scratchy smokers voice that we miss dearly.
We truly miss the times we shared with him, like game day Sundays, the holidays and Sunday dinners with. His presence brought so much joy. He was so hilarious with an unpredictable personality, which was always extremely entertaining. Man I miss him so much!
Michael’s Murder by Denver PD
The public unfortunately know him as the schizophrenic, mentally ill, homeless man that five deputy officers killed in the Denver City jail. Uncle Mike’s last moments in this crazy world was torturous.
Being crushed by those five officers as his spine fractured, crushed on the cold hard cement floor of the jail cell as his breath left his body, vomit spewing out as deputy officers place a spit mask over his mouth which stuffed the vomit back down his throat as he started to lay lifeless on that cold bare cement floor, just aspirating.
Uncle Michael was never violent, yet he was crushed by these deputy officers for over fifteen minutes with no empathy that he was a human being with a loving family! Uncle Mike should have never been arrested in the first place.
“I don't know how arresting my uncle on an allegation of trespass could help anyone, instead of just giving him a ticket, but I do know how it was harmful to him. It killed him. He’s gone, our family will never be able to spend time with him, and he is not alone. “
Denver Post Opinion: The Status Quo is Killing Us
Natalia Marshall
This letter to the editor was originally published by the Denver Post on April 18, 2021
You might know Michael Marshall as the mentally ill, homeless man killed by sheriff’s deputies in the Denver jail, but to me he was Uncle Mike. Son of John Marshall and Hattie Lee Black-Marshall, Uncle Mike was a loving man, willing to do what he could for his family and other people experiencing homelessness. He had a contagious laugh and presence that brought joy at holidays and Sunday dinners. Because he lived with schizophrenia and the stigma that goes along with mental illness and poverty, you’ll never get to meet the man I loved, but you can honor his memory by supporting Senate Bill 62.
Jails should be for people who are a danger to others. Yet, too many people like my uncle are jailed because they are experiencing homelessness, mental illness, substance use disorder, or can’t afford to buy their freedom. Uncle Mike was jailed for an alleged low-level trespass and held on a $100 bond. Because he couldn’t afford to pay the toll to get out, he paid with his life.
Many in law enforcement want things to stay the same. But the system has stayed consistent for decades and look at the results: Rev. Marvin Booker, Jeffrey Lillis, Jackson Maes, sweet Uncle Mike and too many others gone forever — and for what? The status quo might work for law enforcement but it doesn’t work for us.
For communities of color and people like Uncle Mike, the status quo kills.
We can be safe and save lives with Senate Bill 62.
Elisabeth Epps | Colorado Freedom Fund
“We’re doing this work, so that the reason that you know Michael Marshall’s name is because of a poem he wrote or a sermon he gave, not because he was killed while held on a money bond.
We cannot end mass incarceration, and all that that entails, without first changing what happens before trial.”
SB21-062 is a jail depopulation bill that limits low level arrests for people like Michael. Contact your Colorado legislators in support of SB21-062 today.