Marksville cops face murder in boy’s death

Derrick Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr. -- two law enforcement officers accused of killing a 6-year-old boy and critically wounding his father in a traffic stop on Nov. 3 -- were indicted by an Avoyelles Parish Grand Jury on 2nd-degree murder and attempted 2nd-degree murder Thursday afternoon.
They were charged in connection with the death of Jeremy Mardis and the shooting of Chris Few following a chase through Marksville that ended on Martin Luther King Drive.
Baton Rouge attorney Steve Lemoine, one of Few’s attorneys, thanked the State Police for its investigative work and the state Attorney General’s Office for its prosecution work to date.
Family members in the courtroom for the reading of the indictments had no comments after leaving the courtroom. Lemoine said the family “needs time to heal.”
In addition to reading the indictments, 12th Judicial District Judge Billy Bennett also rescinded a gag order he had imposed on all parties in the case, including attorneys and potential witnesses.
Lemoine would not discuss details of the case, including a police body camera video of the shooting. He said more details may be released as the case progresses.
For now, he said, “we are pleased to see the justice process is moving forward.”
Outside the courthouse, a small group of protesters waved signs and encouraged motorists to “make noise” in support of “justice for Jeremy and Chris.”
In a press release shortly after the indictments were handed down, Attorney General Buddy Caldwell the state can now “move forward in the process of seeking justice for Jeremy Mardis and to hold accountable those who are responsible for his death,”
The AG’s Office is handling the prosecution of the case because the Avoyelles Parish District Attorney’s Office recused itself due to the fact that Greenhouse’s father is an assistant district attorney.
A conviction of 2nd-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence in prison without parole. Attempted 2nd-degree murder is punishable by 50 years in prison.