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Update: Second Deputy Charged In The Death of Jeremy Mardis Pleads Guilty
On November 2, 2015, 6-year old Jeremy Mardis was in the car with his dad, Christopher Few, when Derrick Stafford and Norris Greenhouse, Jr. opened fire, seriously wounding Christopher and killing Jeremy.
Stafford and Greenhouse, Jr. were charged with attempted second-degree murder and second-degree murder.
Stafford’s trial was in March 2017, in Marksville, Louisiana. We followed the trial here.
The officers, admitting that they did not see a weapon, alleged that Christopher backed up his vehicle and tried running them over. A ballistic expert at trial testified that all shots were fired to the side of the vehicle, and cars do not run sideways. Additionally, body cam footage showed that before the shooting, Christopher had both hands raised outside of his car window.
Derrick Stafford, 33, was found guilty of attempted manslaughter and manslaughter. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison with credit for time served since 11/3/2015. 20 years of his sentence has to be served without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. Read the rest of this entry
Walker, Louisiana Police Officer Resigns After Found Placing Noose In Squad Room
An unnamed, high-ranking Walker Police officer, who was employed by the department for about a decade, has resigned after he was suspended for placing a noose inside the squad room of the department. He was originally suspended for 3 days without pay. A meeting to review the officer’s conduct and consider disciplinary action was scheduled, but was cancelled after the officer announced his resignation.
Louisiana law RS 14:40.5 prohibits a noose in a public place. Anyone convicted faces up to a $5,000 fine and one year in prison or both. The Walker police Investigative Unit has asked Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Office to investigate for criminal charges. The case has been handed over to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office for criminal investigation.
Police Chief David Addison is new to the job. The assistant chief is an African American. A lieutenant, who is also Black, found the noose. Security camera footage recorded the officer leaving the noose hanging in the department’s squad room.
Paperwork says that it was reported,
“You informed me that you fashioned the noose, or as you called it, the ‘slip knot,’ to pick with an arrestee that you had in custody…It was revealed to me via our department’s video cameras, that there was no arrestee present when you fashioned and displayed the cookie and noose in the squad room.”
Chief Addison is reported saying:
“Whether they’re white, black or oriental, we have a mixture here in Walker. Everyone, I don’t care if you’re white, black, oriental, you will be treated fairly by my officers. This will not be tolerated period. This was poor judgment, bad character. It will not be tolerated with the Walker Police Department.”
WBRZ has a video and more on this story.
Louisiana Officer On Trial For Killing 6-Year Old Jeremy Mardis
Derrick Stafford (Louisiana State Police via AP, File)
A jury of 12 and 2 alternates have heard opening statements and is hearing testimony in the trial of Derrick Stafford. The trial is taking place in Marksville, Louisiana. Stafford, along with his partner Norris Greenhouse, Jr. are charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in the November 2, 2015 shooting death of 6-year old Jeremy Mardis. Jeremy was the in the vehicle with his dad, Christopher Few, who was wounded when Stafford and his Greenhouse, Jr. opened fire.
Greenhouse, Jr. is scheduled for a separate trial later this year.
“Video from a police officer’s body camera shows the father had his hands raised inside his vehicle when the officers fired their semiautomatic pistols. At least four of their 18 shots ripped into the child’s body while he was strapped into the front seat.
Relatives of the victims wept as jurors watched the graphic video from the shooting. Several jurors were also seen wiping away tears.”
Jeremy Mardis
Stafford and Greenhouse stated that they opened fire on Few because he tried ramming his car into them. A state police detective has testified there isn’t any physical evidence that Few’s car collided with Greenhouse’s vehicle.
Ballistics evidence shows none of the 18 shots fired by the two deputies hit the front or back of Few’s car. The prosecution is using that as evident that neither deputy was in danger. “Cars don’t move sideways,” the prosecutor said.
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. Read the rest of this entry
Mamou, Louisiana Police Chief Sentenced For Violating Civil Rights
Robert McGee, former Mamou Police Chief, has been sentenced to one year and a day in prison, and one year of supervised release, for tasing a non-combatant inmate. The case is the result of a federal investigation that extended from the 2015 civil rights conviction of former Mamou Police Chief Gregory Dupuis for use of excessive force on inmates at the Mamou jail. McGee, who was elected Mamou police chief after the incident involving Dupuis, resigned his position as chief on Oct. 8, 2015, as a result of the federal investigation.
The incident that McGee was sentenced for occurred in 2010.
U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik Sr. sentenced McGee.
The federal bureau of investigation reports:
“According to evidence presented at McGee’s October 13, 2015 plea hearing, McGee went to the jail on Aug. 6, 2010, to deal with an inmate who had been verbally, but not physically, disruptive. McGee engaged the inmate in conversation as a second officer unlocked the cell. After the cell door was opened, McGee pointed his taser at the inmate and discharged his taser into the inmate’s chest and abdomen area, even though the inmate was compliant and made no aggressive moves toward the officers or any other person. The five-second electric shock caused the inmate to fall against the wall of the cell and experience physical pain. At his plea hearing, McGee admitted that he knew at the time that his actions were unlawful. “
Two Louisiana Law Enforcement Officers Charged With Murder
Tuesday evening, Officers Norris Greenhouse, Jr. and Derrick Stafford pursued a SUV driven by Chris Few. It happened about 90 miles northwest of Baton Rouge in the town of Marksville. Few’s 6-year old son was in the passenger’s seat. Few was on a dead-end street, and that is when the two officers opened fire, hitting Jeremy Mardis five times in the head and chest, killing him. His dad was seriously wounded.
There are conflicting reports; some saying that there was a warrant out for Few, and others saying there was no warrant. No gun was found in Few’s possession.
Officers Norris Greenhouse Jr. and Derrick Stafford
Four officers were involved in the chase. All have been placed on paid administrative leave, but Greenhouse Jr. ,23, and Stafford, 32, have been charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
State Police Col. Michael Edmonson said that they used some of the body cam footage in the investigation to make the decision to charge the two officers.
Greenhouse and Stafford were working second jobs as city marshals when the shooting happened. Greenhouse is a full-time Marksville police lieutenant and Stafford is a marshal in Alexandria.
KATC reports that their investigation uncovered that both officers have been previously accused of civil rights violations.
Any Discussion – Lots of News
Caterpillars, moths, butterflies, and all creatures great and small,
Rather than writing separate posts, here’s a summary of things in the news. Feel free to share other news or whatever is on your mind. By going to the links embedded, you can find additional information and news on the summaries below.
In effort to stop policing for profit, Ferguson, MO. Municipal Court Judge Donald McCullin, who was appointed in June, has announced sweeping changes to the city’s court system. All active warrants issued before December 2014 will be withdrawn. The accused will be given new court dates and alternative penalty options such as payment plans or community service.
Jared Fogle who is famous for pitching Subway for losing weight, has plead guilty to federal charges of distribution and receipt of child pornography and unlawful sex acts with minors. He has agreed to pay restitution of $1.4 million to be divided among the 14 minor victims. Read the rest of this entry
Think Progress: Black Man Sentenced To Death By All-White Jury Freed From Louisiana Prison After 30 Years.
Happy to know this, but sad too — if only the truth set everyone free. (sigh)
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident 