Atlanta attorney Tex McIver pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter on January 26, 2024, for the fatal shooting of his wife, Diane McIver, in their SUV in September 2016. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and released in January 2025 after receiving credit for time served.
The shooting occurred on the night of September 25, 2016. Tex McIver, Diane, and friends were returning from golfing and an evening of drinking. A sober friend was driving the SUV, with Diane seated in the front passenger seat and Tex behind her. Tex later told police he was asleep during the drive and woke up fearing they had entered a dangerous neighborhood. He asked Diane to hand him his loaded .38 caliber handgun, which he kept in the car console. He said he then fell back asleep and the gun discharged, fatally shooting Diane in the back.
Despite Tex’s account, firearm experts questioned the possibility of an accidental discharge from the revolver, stating that such guns require the trigger to be pulled to fire. Tex’s legal defense revolved around whether the trigger pull was intentional or accidental. Investigators concluded that Tex definitively pulled the trigger, but it remained unclear whether this was deliberate.
Tex McIver was an experienced gun owner with a collection that reportedly included nearly 40 firearms. The case raised questions about his knowledge of gun safety and the circumstances leading to the shooting.
Following the incident, Tex’s behavior drew scrutiny. Friends and acquaintances described the couple as a powerful and socially prominent pair in Atlanta’s elite circles. Diane McIver, a successful executive, and Tex married in 2011 after years together. They were known for entertaining guests at their weekend home and maintaining a selective social life. Financial arrangements were kept separate due to prior costly divorces.
Tex remained deeply remorseful after Diane’s death. Close friends said he never denied responsibility but insisted the shooting was an accident. There was no clear motive established beyond speculation. A significant point of contention was Tex’s inability to explain how the gun discharged.
In 2022, the Georgia Supreme Court ordered a new trial, ruling that the jury should have been allowed to consider a lesser charge—misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter—rather than only murder charges. Tex accepted a plea deal on that basis, avoiding a retrial.
Why it matters
The case highlights legal complexities involving accidental firearm deaths and the challenges of distinguishing between intentional and unintentional homicide in court. It garnered significant attention due to the social prominence of the McIvers and raised public debates over gun safety and accountability.
Background
Tex and Diane McIver were well-known in Atlanta’s business and social scenes. Their relationship attracted attention for the couple’s wealth, lifestyle, and the dynamics of their marriage. Prior to Diane’s death, Tex had been through a painful divorce and was estranged from his children, making Diane his primary family. The shooting incident and subsequent legal proceedings have been chronicled in media, including podcasts and crime documentaries.
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