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Derrick Stafford, Norris Greenhouse Jr.: Bond Set For Police Officers Who Killed 6-Year-Old Boy In Louisiana

By Louis Babcock
Published on: 11:23 PST, Nov 9, 2015

Derrick Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr. are Louisiana police officers who are currently incarcerated in a Louisiana prison for the murder of Jeremy Mardis. Stafford and Greenhouse Jr. opened fire on the vehicle of Chris Few. The incident was captured on the body cameras that the officers were wearing at the time. Both men have been formally charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

State District Judge William Bennett set the bond for Stafford and Greenhouse Jr. at $1 million each. The closed bond hearing for Stafford and Greenhouse Jr. was held today. Also during the bond hearing today, District Attorney Charles Riddle took himself off the case due to a “conflict with the fair and impartial administration of justice.” Riddle’s conflict is because Greenhouse’s father worked in the District Attorney’s office as an assistant prosecutor for 13 years. The Attorney General’s office of Louisiana will now be charged with prosecuting the murder case. Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police Colonel, Mike Edmonson, commented on the case.

“Nothing is more important than the integrity of this badge. Tonight, the badge has been tarnished by these two individuals.”

One of the questions that need to be answered is why did Stafford and Greenhouse Jr. fire their weapons at Few’s vehicle? When the officers shot at the vehicle, Chris Few was injured, but 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis was killed. Few was taken to Alexandria Rapides Regional Medical Center and is said to be in fair condition. Stafford and Greenhouse Jr. were not the only officers at the scene last week during the fatal shooting. Two other police officers were there, but it is believed that they did not discharge their weapons. Stafford and Greenhouse Jr. were not working with their regular police forces. Stafford, a lieutenant for the Marksville Police Department, and Greenhouse Jr., a full-time city marshall, were working as deputy marshalls in Ward 2 of Marksville. According to the investigation, Jeremy Mardis was riding in the front seat of Few’s vehicle. Mardis was shot five times in the head and chest. A total of 18 rounds were fired at Few and Mardis. It is believed that all the rounds came from the guns of Stafford and Greenhouse Jr. As part of the investigation, it was determined that no warrants for Few existed and no weapon was found in or around the vehicle. Investigators did discover that Greenhouse Jr. knew Chris Few. Edmonson spoke with CNN about what he knows regarding the relationship between Greenhouse Jr. and Few.

“We believe that they had some type of relationship where they met each other, knew each other. As this progresses, we’ll certainly find out more and more information. But I think in a town like this, everyone knows each other.”

Derrick Stafford has had problems with the law in the past. Stafford was indicted on two counts of aggravated rape in 2011. Both charges were dismissed. Stafford also has five civil lawsuits in which he is listed as the defendant. Greenhouse Jr. is also listed as a defendant in a civil lawsuit for use of excessive force. Edmonson is very disturbed and curious about what caused Stafford and Greenhouse Jr. to do what they did.

“I’ve been a police officer for 35 years, but as a father — much less as a state police — it was a disturbing, disturbing video that I watched, and that really helped move us forward. I’ve got to deal in facts. What’s important to me is what caused those police officers to pursue. What caused them to open fire? He (Jeremy) didn’t deserve to die like that. We need to find out why.”

What do you think caused Derrick Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr. to do what they did?

[Image Via Louisiana State Police]

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