Alabama Officer William Ben Darby Convicted of Murder for Shooting Suicidal Man in 2018
On 5/7/21 at 3:31 PM EDT
Jurors have convicted Huntsville, Alabama police officer William Ben Darby of murder in the fatal shooting of Jeff Parker, a suicidal man.
On Friday, a Madison County jury reached a verdict on the second day of deliberations in the trial of Darby, who was on duty when he shot and killed Parker on April 3, 2018.
Parker called 911 on the afternoon of his death, saying that he was armed and suicidal. When the first two officers arrived at Parker s home, they found him sitting on a couch and holding a gun to his head.
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.
HPD Officer William Darby found guilty of murder; defense team, family speak at press conferences William Darby (Source: Jail View) By Tiffany Thompson, Kate Smith, and Wade Smith | May 7, 2021 at 7:04 AM CDT - Updated May 7 at 10:36 PM
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Following a week-long trial, William Darby was found guilty of murdering 49-year-old Jeffery Parker in 2018.
Now Huntsville Police Officer William Darby could spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murder of Jeffery Parker in 2018.
Darby shot and killed Parker in the face with a shotgun after he refused to put down the gun he was holding to his own head.
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 convicts Alabama officer of murder in 2018 shooting
This booking photograph from Friday, May 7, 2021, shows Huntsville, Ala., police officer William Darby, who was convicted of murder in a fatal shooting that happened in 2018. Prosecutors argued that Darby had no justifiable reason to shoot Jeffrey Parker as Parker held a gun to his own head. (Madison County Sheriff s Office via AP) May 07, 2021 - 2:16 PM
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Jurors convicted an Alabama police officer of murder Friday in the shooting of a suicidal man who was holding a gun to his own head, a verdict that was criticized by both the mayor and police chief, but lauded by the victim s family, who said they hope it will spur law enforcement to change how they approach mental health crises.