Huntsville City Council supports construction of new crisis diversion center with unanimous vote
Huntsville City Council unanimous vote to support the construction of a new crisis diversion center By Kailey Schuyler | May 14, 2021 at 4:08 AM CDT - Updated May 14 at 8:24 AM
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - The first Huntsville City Council meeting following the murder conviction of Huntsville Police Officer William Darby sparked difficult conversations. Darby was convicted last week of killing suicidal man Jeffrey Parker. This was the driving force behind a unanimous vote to support the construction of a new crisis diversion center to help those in this community.
“This is not a police problem. This is a societal problem,” says Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray.
City of Huntsville explains why officer convicted of murder is on paid leave
Your tax dollars are being used to pay the salary of Officer William Darby, who was convicted of murder on Friday.
Posted: May 12, 2021 5:43 PM
Updated: May 12, 2021 7:01 PM
Posted By: Alex Torres-Perez
Right now, Officer William Darby is on paid administrative leave after being convicted of murder on Friday.
WAAY reached out to the Huntsville Police Department to speak to Chief Mark McMurray, who recommended Officer Darby be placed on administrative leave. However, we were told he wouldn t speak any further about the case or the process of putting an employee on paid leave.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray
The city has placed Darby on paid administrative leave.
Posted: May 12, 2021 4:40 PM
Posted By: Josh Rayburn
State Representatives Anthony Daniels and Laura Hall, The Rosa Parks Day Committee of Huntsville-Madison County, and partnering local civic and social organizations will have a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday.
They plan to call for Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray to renounce their affirmation of Huntsville Police Officer William Darby or to resign.
Darby last week was convicted of the murder of Jeffrey Parker.
After the verdict was announced, both Battle and McMurray released statements saying they disagreed with the jury’s decision and continue to support Darby.