Reed 's defense relied on his claim that he killed McMillian in self - defense after an attempted rape .
Marco McMillian , an openly gay candidate for the mayor of Clarksdale , Mississippi , was murdered by Lawrence Reed on 26 February 2013 .
Lawrence Reed 's defense relied on Lawrence Reed 's claim that he killed candidate in self - defense after an attempted rape .
Marco McMillian , an openly gay candidate for the mayor of Clarksdale , Mississippi , was murdered by Lawrence Reed on 26 February 2013 .