Video Released of Two Officers Killing 6-Year old Jeremy Mardis

I first reported on this on November 8, 2015 when the news reported that two officers were charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.  Since then, I’ve mentioned the name Jeremy Mardis several times; once was in criticism for Blue Lives Matter, who supports law enforcement who are charged with using deadly force.  The victims in this case are White, and the officers are Black.  Blue Lives Matter has been silent.

CNN now reports that a Louisiana judge released body cam video Wednesday showing officers firing multiple rounds into the car of Chris few, wounding Chris and killing his 6-year-old, autistic son Jeremy Mardis.

Jeremy Mardis.  Jeremy was autistic and could not speak

The incident happened on September 2015 when Marshals saw an argument between a man and his girlfriend in front of a local bar.  Chris Few got into his car. As officers approached the car, Chris drove away.  The officers pursued.  The video shows that when Few drove into a dead end street, he put his hands up, but the officers opened fire anyway.

Officers Norris Greenhouse Jr., and Derrick Stafford are charged with second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder.   Their first story was that they were attempting to serve a warrant on Chris Few, however that has been proven false. Greenhouse knew Few before the deadly encounter.   Investigators are looking into the extent of their relationship.

Jeremy was shot in the head and chest.  At Wednesday’s hearing, State Police forensics experts testified that they determined 18 shots were fired; 14 from Stafford’s gun and four from Greenhouse’s gun. Experts testified that Jeremy was hit five times. Two of the bullets were too damaged to link them to a specific gun. 

An officer at the hearing was asked why he did not fire, and he testified that he did not feel his life was in danger. Chris Few was unarmed.

Norris Greenhouse Jr. and Derrick Stafford

The Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police called the video “the most disturbing thing I’ve seen.” It comes from a body camera worn by a separate officer, and shows back-up arriving, shots being fired, and the moment deputies realized they had killed a child.

CNN reports that the video shows;

“The officer who is wearing the camera eventually walks around to the passenger side of the vehicle, windows have been shattered. He shines his flashlight onto the child’s inert body, which is in the front passenger seat, and speaks to him before checking his pulse. An officer can be heard vomiting off-camera.  He later unbuckles the child’s seatbelt, exclaiming “oh my God,” before walking away.

KATC TV3 was in Marksville, LA for the hearing.    They report that when court staff began setting up the equipment to play the video that Chris Few, who was present in court, left the courtroom in tears and did not return.

The Court Is Allowing Evidence of Prior Bad Acts Of the Officers To Be Heard at Trial.

Against defense attorney’s strong objections, the court has ruled that prosecutors in the case can use evidence of prior bad acts on the part of the defendants during trial to argue a pattern of behavior.

KATC reports that Derrick Stafford has worked for 5 different police or sheriff’s departments.

In a separate article, KATC also reports that Stafford has 6 pending civil lawsuits.  There are also suits naming both Stafford and Greenhouse Jr.

In October, 2011, Stafford was indicted by a Rapides Parish grand jury on 2 counts of aggravated rape on two separate victims.  He was then a Lieutenant with the Marksville Police Department.  In May 2012, the state dismissed the rape charges.

Norris Greenhouse Jr. has worked for 4 different police or sheriff’s departments.

In 2012 while working with the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Greenhouse, Jr. was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a juvenile.  He was temporarily suspended for not properly logging his whereabouts while on duty.  Greenhouse did not return to work after his suspension expired and he was terminated by the department.

While working for the Marksville Police Department, Greenhouse was written up twice, once for ignoring a 3-month memo and again for not using his dash cam.   Greenhouse’s dad is an Assistant District Attorney.

The video below is from dash cam and a body cam, but does not show Jeremy’s body.

 

 

RIP, precious Jeremy