Quick Facts
Biography
Marco McMillian (April 23, 1979 – February 26, 2013) was a businessman and candidate for mayor of Clarksdale, Mississippi in 2013. He was "the first openly gay man to be a viable candidate for public office in Mississippi". McMillian was CEO of MWM & Associates, a firm that provided consulting to non-profit organizations.
Background
Marco McMillian was born in 1979 in Mississippi. After attending local schools, he attended Jackson State University, studying business.
He developed his own business, eventually becoming CEO of MWM & Associates, which provided consulting to non-profit organizations. He became active in the Democratic Party and in 2013 he ran for mayor of Clarksdale, Mississippi.
On March 4, 2013, McMillian was found dead at age 34 in a near town, having been beaten and burned. The FBI released a statement saying that it is "aware of the case, has been monitoring the state investigation, and will assess evidence to determine whether federal prosecution is appropriate". Lawrence Reed, age 22, was arrested in connection with the case after he was "allegedly driving McMillian's SUV when it was involved in a head-on crash"
McMillian's funeral was held on March 9, 2013.
On May 1, 2013, an autopsy report says blunt force trauma most likely contributed to McMillian's death, but the cause of death is listed as "asphyxia by undetermined etiology." It did not give an exact reason for the death beyond calling it a homicide.
Reed was held in custody without bond after his arrest. In August 2013, a judge in Coahoma County ordered the case against Reed moved to Quitman County, where it is alleged the murder took place. Reed was indicted by a grand jury in Quitman County in February 2014.
On April 2, 2015, Reed was found guilty of the murder following a jury trial, and sentenced to life in prison. Reed claimed he acted in self-defense after McMillian drove him to a dark and deserted road and made sexual advances. Reed used his wallet chain to choke McMillian, and then dragged him into a body of water to make sure that he was dead. He burned the body.