An Alabama police officer was convicted Friday of murdering a suicidal man while on duty.
Three years ago, Huntsville police officer William Ben Darby shot and killed Jeff Parker, who was suicidal and had called the police for help, AL.com reported.
The Madison County jury debated for two hours, and Circuit Judge Donna Pate set Darby s bail at $100,000, ordering him straight to jail from the courtroom.
ADVERTISEMENT
Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray said in a press release that he is “shocked” by the decision.
“We are in the first stages of shock,” McMurray said. “While we thank the jury for their service in this difficult case, I do not believe Officer Darby is a murderer.”
April 22, 2021 GMT
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) An Alabama police officer charged with murder in the shooting of a man during a mental health call doesn’t want prosecutors to refer to the dead person as a victim during the upcoming trial.
An attorney for Huntsville police officer William Darby, 28, made the request in a motion filed Wednesday, WAAY-TV reported. The defense contended that allowing prosecutors to refer to Jeffrey Parker as a “victim” would inflame the jury and make it sound like the officer is guilty.
Prosecutors did not immediately respond to the motion, and Circuit Judge Donna Pate issued no ruling.
Huntsville police officer charged with murder doesn t want dead person called victim al.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from al.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Uniformed police should not be allowed to pack Huntsville officer’s murder trial, prosecutor says
Updated Apr 06, 2021;
Posted Apr 06, 2021
Huntsville police officer William Darby enters the courtroom for a hearing on April 3, 2019. Darby is charged with murder.
Facebook Share
Prosecutors raised concerns today about whether the presence of scores of uniformed police officers could intimidate jurors in the murder trial of a Huntsville police officer next month.
Madison County Chief Trial Attorney Tim Gann asked Circuit Judge Donna Pate if she would consider ordering that police officers who attend the trial wear plain clothes, rather than uniforms, unless they are testifying or on duty.