Trial Underway In Fatal Shooting Of Autistic Child

The trial begins today for one Marksville City Marshal accused of fatally shooting a 6-year-old boy. 33-year-old Derrick Stafford is one of two officers accused of firing into the victim’s vehicle in November of 2015 killing an autistic child, Jeremy Mardis and injuring his father, Chris Few. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says the graphic body camera video will play a critical part in the case.

“State Police Commander Mike Edmonson described it as one of the worst he’s ever seen in his career.”

The body camera footage shows Few with his hands up inside the vehicle before Stafford and the other Marshal, Norris Greenhouse, Jr. began firing. Stafford is charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Meche says Stafford claims he started shooting in self-defense.

“He’ll have to argue he used deadly force because he believed it was necessary to prevent the loss of life or serious bodily injury.”

There has also been talk that a third shooter could be involved. Meche expects Stafford’s and Greenhouse’s defense attorneys could bring that up during the trial.

“There are two good defense lawyers involved and they’ll play every card that they can and do everything that they can ethically to defend their clients.”

Greenhouse’s trail is set to begin June 12^th.