In the quiet town of Niota, Tennessee, a family gathering on March 9, 2014, turned into a scene of tragedy, forever altering the lives of those involved. It was on this day that 22-year-old Brandon Lee Hayes, a male resident of nearby Decatur, was shot at the home of his uncle. The events that transpired led to Hayes being rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville for treatment of his life-threatening injuries.
Despite the efforts of medical professionals, he succumbed to his wounds and passed away on March 10, 2014.
The investigation into the shooting quickly focused on the homeowner and the victim's uncle, Marvin Derick Hayes. As law enforcement officials pieced together the moments leading up to the fatal incident, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist. Their findings resulted in the arrest of the elder Hayes, who was 35 years old at the time.
Following the investigation, Marvin Derick Hayes was taken into custody and formally charged in connection with the death of his nephew. The specific charge brought against him was one count of voluntary manslaughter, indicating that the authorities believed the killing was not premeditated but occurred in a state of sudden passion or provocation. The community was left to grapple with the sorrow of a young life cut short and the unsettling reality of a death that occurred within the bonds of a family.
