Cantonment Man Acquitted Of Murdering His Navy Wife In 2001

October 14, 2023

An Escambia County jury acquitted a Cantonment man of the first degree premeditated murder of his Navy wife over two decades ago.

Gregory Paul Malarik, 60, was on trial for the second time for murdering his wife, Sheri Malarik, in 2001. His first trial ended with a mistrial in June 2022 after four days of testimony and four hours of deliberations when the jury could not reach a verdict.

Friday, it took a jury over eight hours of deliberations to return a not guilty verdict Friday night.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested Malarik in 2020 for the 2001 murder of his wife, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sherri Malarik.  Gregory Malarik, a former Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, was employed by the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.

The body of  Sherri Lynn Malarik was found September 22, 2001, at about 8 a.m. inside a Dodge Caravan in the parking lot of the Winn Dixie and Movie Gallery at 1550 South Highway 29, less than three miles from the couple’s home.

Comments

10 Responses to “Cantonment Man Acquitted Of Murdering His Navy Wife In 2001”

  1. Esc co leo on October 15th, 2023 3:34 pm

    Saying there was no evidence is not exactly accurate. There was enough evidence to show probable cause, or another words that he probably did it, or the judge would not have signed an arrest warrant. Also, the prosecutor has to meet a burden of reasonable likelihood of conviction, in order to take the case to trial. The issue is that they cannot prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Doesn’t mean he didn’t do it, just that they could not prove it to that level.

  2. Native on October 15th, 2023 9:08 am

    It’s scary how some residents commenting on this story can read a few news articles or perhaps look at a photo and reach a verdict if guilty yet question the outcome of an actual trial, in this case two trials, where real evidence is presented and considered. What exactly do you know that wasn’t presented during the trial that makes you certain this man is guilty? I hate to think such prejudicial people might sit on a real jury someday.

  3. Bill T on October 15th, 2023 8:14 am

    Lot of these negative attitudes and thoughts would change if they were in this man’s shoes !!! The system has spoken it is what it is like it or not !!! All these people complaining about this man being guilty all I say is prove it !! You understand that’s why he’s free no proof !! So again put up or shut up !!! He is free to be free!!!

  4. BGH2 on October 15th, 2023 4:43 am

    First of all, prayers for this young lady’s family. The manner in which she was murdered and found is still puzzling. I always suspected someone else (I personally suspected). This fella above has been tried twice. First was a mistrial and second trial, he was found not guilty by a jury of his peers. One of several things happened here…the Defense attorney was just too good…the jury slept through the trial OR the Prosecution didn’t have enough evidence to convince this jury(that I’m aware they weren’t allowed to snooze through the trial) that he was guilty of this crime. I do not know this family personally but like many, over the years, kept up with it(the trial)because it was local. Those casting those hateful stones may need to realize that this man just may be innocent. Only 3 people know who committed this horrible act…the victim(who cannot tell her side of the story)…the actual murderer and OUR GOD. GOD knows and HE will take care of it when this person,who committed this crime, stands in front of HIM on judgement day. So, cut this fella some slack and save your acts of judgement…ONLY one can judge us and HE sits above us all.

  5. J on October 15th, 2023 1:13 am

    Sounds like Hawaii. Great place to be a criminal because of the judicial system.

  6. Tod on October 14th, 2023 8:09 pm

    Hopefully, this gentleman can be left alone now his peers found him not guilty. I can’t fathom how stressful it must have been going through this not once, but twice, without any evidence to boot. If I were him, Id sell my place, and get the hell out of this place and find somewheres else to call home. It is awful that the wife was murdered, but to make an attempt to send someone to prison without s shred of evidence, and hearsay is no better. Find peace, Sir

  7. Kevin on October 14th, 2023 5:06 pm

    The ones commenting it makes them sick and this that and the other are the same ones that sit there and hold so much faith in our Justice system. But then again if it dont go your way then its sickening? Ive known this family for years and I assure you he didnt do it. Dont prejudge based one what you want to hear

  8. Tc on October 14th, 2023 4:17 pm

    Low life cheats on his wife while shes away serving her country. Wife found dead in his own vehicle, shots heard by his own kids. Im not buying a not guilty verdict. If he wasnt the trigger man he was dang sure an accessory . Sounds like another failure of the pitiful court system

  9. J-THE-G on October 14th, 2023 12:36 pm

    Sounds like they didn’t have evidence.

  10. Mike on October 14th, 2023 11:36 am

    This makes me sick.