Huntsville Police Officer William Darby testifying during his murder trial
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Posted: May 7, 2021 11:53 AM
Posted By: Josh Rayburn
The jury in his trial issued its verdict Friday.
Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray issued this statement after the verdict: “We are in the first stages of shock. While we thank the jury for their service in this difficult case, I do not believe Officer Darby is a murderer. Officers are forced to make split-second decisions every day, and Officer Darby believed his life and the lives of other officers were in danger. Any situation that involves a loss of life is tragic. Our hearts go out to everyone involved.
Official mugshot of William Darby after guilty verdict in his murder trial
Stay with WAAY 31 for updates.
Posted: May 7, 2021 11:48 AM
Updated: May 7, 2021 1:01 PM
Posted By: Josh Rayburn
The jury in his trial issued its verdict Friday.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle issued this statement: “While I respect the jury’s opinion, I disagree with the verdict. We recognize this was a hard case with a lot of technical information to process. Officer Darby followed the appropriate safety protocols in his response on the scene. He was doing what he was trained to do in the line of duty. Fortunately, Officer Darby has the same appeal rights as any other citizen and is entitled to exercise those rights.
HUNTSVILLE Huntsville Police Officer William Darby was found guilty of murder on Friday, May 7, 2021.
Darby shot and killed Jeffrey Parker, 43, on April 3, 2018, after Parker called 911 saying he was going to kill himself.
Before Darby arrived, Genisha Pegues, who recently resigned as an officer, and Officer Justin Beckles talked with Parker, who was holding a gun to his head.
Pegues wasn’t pointing her weapon at Parker and told jurors she didn’t feel threatened, news outlets reported.
“My goal was to see where he was as far as his mental state,” Pegues testified. “My goal was to keep him talking, talk about other solutions than taking his life.”
Stay with WAAY 31 for updates.
Posted: May 7, 2021 11:36 AM
Updated: May 7, 2021 2:12 PM
Posted By: Josh Rayburn
The jury in his trial issued its verdict Friday.
Official mugshot of William Darby after guilty verdict in his murder trial
Darby has been on trial all week for the murder of Jeffrey Parker. a suicidal man Darby shot in 2018 while Parker held a gun to his own head during a confrontation with police.
Police say Darby only shot after Parker refused to drop his weapon.
Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray issued this statement after the verdict: “We are in the first stages of shock. While we thank the jury for their service in this difficult case, I do not believe Officer Darby is a murderer. Officers are forced to make split-second decisions every day, and Officer Darby believed his life and the lives of other officers were in danger. Any situation that involves a loss of life is tragic. Our hearts go out to everyone involved.
Jury deliberations begin Thursday in murder trial of William Darby
Deliberations lasted four hours Thursday; will resume Friday morning.
Posted: May 6, 2021 10:19 PM
Updated: May 6, 2021 11:17 PM
Posted By: Luke Hajdasz
They ll return Friday at 8:30 A.M. to continue.
Huntsville Police Officer William Darby testifying during his murder trial
Deliberations started after lunch and lasted from 1:00 to 5:30.
This week, one day of the case was dedicated to jury selection. The prosecution presenting its case was another day, the same for the defense. The jury then heard half a day of closing arguments. Now, jurors debate whether or not Darby killed Jeffrey Parker with cause.