Six Year Old Autistic Boy Shot & Killed By Police

[JohnR! 5,495]

It's puzzling as to why the cops were ever chasing this guy to begin with.

Hopefully this will get the coverage it warrants, and police forces all over the country will change their attitude towards those they are sworn to 'serve and protect'.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/09/us/louisiana-child-shooting/index.html

(CNN)A Louisiana district attorney has recused himself from prosecuting the case of two police officers who allegedly killed a 6-year-old boy while pursuing his father's car.

Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charles Riddle filed a motion Monday for recusal, citing his relationship with one of the officer's families.

Louisiana City Marshals Norris Greenhouse Jr., 23, and Derrick Stafford, 32, have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

According to the motion, Greenhouse's father, Norris Greenhouse Sr., is an assistant district attorney under Riddle.

Louisiana Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell said in a statement that he'd received the recusal order and "we will begin a detailed and thorough investigation, leaving no stone unturned."

"I can simply assure you that at the end of the process, justice will be served," he added.

In a court hearing Monday, a Louisiana judge set a $1 million bond for each of the two officers. The court has ordered both men to surrender their firearms and badges.

Lingering questions

Nearly a week has passed since the incident occurred, but answers to disturbing questions are slow in coming.

A source close to the case information tells CNN that on the evening of November 3, marshals began pursuing the father, Chris Few, after they witnessed an argument between Few and his girlfriend in front of a local bar.

The source says the marshals alleged they witnessed "domestic abuse" and moved in to detain Few, who instead took off in his SUV.

The police pursuit ended in a hail of gunfire that left Few critically wounded and his young son dead.

Still unknown: Why did they open fire on 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis?

The first-grader was buckled in the front passenger seat of his father's truck when he was shot five times in the head and chest. At least 18 rounds were fired at the father and son from two firearms.

The boy's father was also struck. A hospital representative told CNN on Monday that authorities had upgraded Few from serious to fair condition.

The shooting happened on a dead-end street at the end of the chase in Marksville, a town of about 5,500 about 90 miles northwest of Baton Rouge, authorities said.

Investigators said there were no outstanding warrants against the father, and no firearm was found in his vehicle.

Greenhouse knew Few before the deadly encounter, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN. Investigators are looking into the extent of their relationship.

In an interview with CNN "New Day's" Alisyn Camerota, Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Michael Edmonson stressed that Marksville is a small town.

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

Officers' history

At least one of the two officers was accused of a crime before.

According to The Town Talk newspaper in Alexandria, Louisiana, Stafford was indicted in 2011 on two counts of aggravated rape. The Town Talk reported that both cases were dismissed without prejudice in 2012. One of the incidents dated back to 2004. The other occurred while Stafford was employed by the Marksville Police Department, where he has worked for eight years.

Neither the Marksville Police Department nor Stafford's family has responded to CNN's requests for comment regarding those cases.

Stafford has been named as a defendant in five civil lawsuits, including at least one related to the use of excessive force. That particular case is still pending.

Greenhouse has also been named in a civil lawsuit related to the use of excessive force. That case is still pending.

Both men were working second jobs as city marshals when the shooting happened. Greenhouse is a full-time Marksville police lieutenant, and Stafford is a marshal in Alexandria, Edmonson said.

According to a CNN review of both officers' records, neither has ever been convicted of a crime.

'Disturbing' footage

The head of Louisiana's state police said "disturbing" body camera footage helped build the case against the two officers accused of shooting the boy.

"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," Edmonson said Sunday.

"I've got to deal in facts. What's important to me is what caused those police officers to pursue," Edmonson said. "What caused them to open fire?"

"He (Jeremy) didn't deserve to die like that. We need to find out why."

The town's mayor, John Lemoine, told CNN's Brianna Keilar on Monday that the body cameras were a recent addition for local police.

"We just went ahead and got these body cameras for these officers, and I'm glad that we did," Lemoine said. "It ... shed a lot of light on what happened the other night."

Mourning Jeremy

On Monday afternoon, a small prayer vigil was held at the site of the shooting.

About a dozen people joined hands in a circle around a small collection of mementos left for Jeremy. People have been leaving multicolored balloons, flowers, stuffed animals and notes around the dead-end street.

Broken glass is still strewn across the ground. Just steps away, at least one bullet hole has been marked with orange paint in a split-rail fence.

Some of the people gathered for the vigil were from Marksville, and others came from the surrounding area. Several told CNN they were unable to travel the distance to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for Jeremy's funeral and burial, held Monday afternoon.

Jeremy Whittington was among those who attended the vigil. He told CNN's Martin Savidge he works with Few, and has been visiting him at the hospital.

He said he last visited Few on Sunday evening.

Whittington said Few was awake but drifting in and out of consciousness. He had difficulty speaking because he was connected to breathing tubes.

Jeremy's first-grade special needs teacher Roxanne Couvillion said the boy loved class, playing and alphabet puzzles. Jeremy was autistic and did not communicate verbally, she said. Couvillion said he was one of her favorite students.

She said she especially loved the way his eyes lit up when he smiled.

"We're just heartbroken," she said. "He always was an angel, and we know that he's watching over us."

[VOL 425]

When is the President of Xavier University of Louisiana resigning because of threats from the golf team of not playing this weekend?

Edited November 10, 2015 by VOL

[VOL 425]

How many staff from the Whitehouse will attend this white kids funeral?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Amazing that the two people who hate talking about race are the only ones in the thread talking about race.

I agree policy brutality is an issue, and it cuts across all racial boundaries.

This seems clear cut but I will add one caveat.

I want to see all the body cam footage, his lawyer is talking about. Too often as we found out in the M Brown case, things are not always as first reported in the media.

Does anything happen in your universe that doesn't involve black people?

And not one word from Sharpton or Jesse Jackson

Why would they? People like you can't stand them since they're poverty pimps right? If they showed up, you'd accuse them of trying to get publicity.

Where is Obama making a statement about this?

Ask where's Trump's statement, since he's a much better President...

Where is the community outrage and riots?

There isn't a sports game or a pumpkin patch nearby...

Where is the Mayor saying let the riots destroy property?

No coach being fired for sexual misconduct against boys, guess being gunned down isn't serious enough.

I guess since this is a white child being gunned down by police then it's not fitting the Media agenda.

I glanced at the suspects, they appear to be Hispanic and Black

Actually, you're wrong. Taylor was gunned down by the police and he was white. And guess which movement talked about it enough to get it put into the spotlight?

And the suspects being Hispanic or Black? Does it make you feel better?

Where is #WhiteLifesMatter..............

You do realize that they're not a real group right? Their only purpose is to counter BLM in words, not deeds. No marches or protests because at the end of the day it's all smoke and mirrors. Since most of them don't even believe police brutality is an issue, to march or speak about this would fly in the face of that.

[VOL 425]

White is the new Black. No one cares

[Teddy B 17,252]

I was hoping we could get at least a few posts without this turning into a race fustercluck, but I guess that was wishful thinking. I purposely made no mention of race in my op, nor did the story I posted make mention of race. There were pics of the two cops available, but I didn't see any reason for posting them.

All is well on VJ.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

I was hoping we could get at least a few posts without this turning into a race fustercluck, but I guess that was wishful thinking. I purposely made no mention of race in my op, nor did the story I posted make mention of race. There were pics of the two cops available, but I didn't see any reason for posting them.

All is well on VJ.

Hey, your favorite Republican lovers brought race into your thread. Guess they are following their fearless Trump leader.

Amazing that the two people who hate talking about race are the only ones in the thread talking about race.

junebug1210, on 10 Nov 2015 - 05:37 AM, said:

I agree policy brutality is an issue, and it cuts across all racial boundaries.

This seems clear cut but I will add one caveat.

I want to see all the body cam footage, his lawyer is talking about. Too often as we found out in the M Brown case, things are not always as first reported in the media.

Does anything happen in your universe that doesn't involve black people?

VOL, on 10 Nov 2015 - 05:46 AM, said:

And not one word from Sharpton or Jesse Jackson

Why would they? People like you can't stand them since they're poverty pimps right? If they showed up, you'd accuse them of trying to get publicity.

VOL, on 10 Nov 2015 - 05:48 AM, said:

Where is Obama making a statement about this?

Ask where's Trump's statement, since he's a much better President...

VOL, on 10 Nov 2015 - 05:54 AM, said:

Where is the community outrage and riots?

There isn't a sports game or a pumpkin patch nearby...

VOL, on 10 Nov 2015 - 05:59 AM, said:

Where is the Mayor saying let the riots destroy property?

No coach being fired for sexual misconduct against boys, guess being gunned down isn't serious enough.

VOL, on 10 Nov 2015 - 06:06 AM, said:

I guess since this is a white child being gunned down by police then it's not fitting the Media agenda.

I glanced at the suspects, they appear to be Hispanic and Black

Actually, you're wrong. Taylor was gunned down by the police and he was white. And guess which movement talked about it enough to get it put into the spotlight?

And the suspects being Hispanic or Black? Does it make you feel better?

VOL, on 10 Nov 2015 - 06:08 AM, said:

Where is #WhiteLifesMatter..............

You do realize that they're not a real group right? Their only purpose is to counter BLM in words, not deeds. No marches or protests because at the end of the day it's all smoke and mirrors. Since most of them don't even believe police brutality is an issue, to march or speak about this would fly in the face of that.

I read about this already. Sad situation for this kid and his family. Too many young lives lost at the hands of cops this year.

[JohnR! 5,495]

It seems moderation is needed.

I was hoping we could get at least a few posts without this turning into a race fustercluck, but I guess that was wishful thinking. I purposely made no mention of race in my op, nor did the story I posted make mention of race. There were pics of the two cops available, but I didn't see any reason for posting them.

All is well on VJ.

[Teddy B 17,252]

It seems moderation is needed.

Not my style unless there's something very egregious.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I prefer the ignore button myself. Cuts swiftly through the manure.

Not my style unless there's something very egregious.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I prefer the ignore button myself. Cuts swiftly through the manure.

Also not my style. But to each his own.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I was hoping we could get at least a few posts without this turning into a race fustercluck, but I guess that was wishful thinking. I purposely made no mention of race in my op, nor did the story I posted make mention of race. There were pics of the two cops available, but I didn't see any reason for posting them.

All is well on VJ.

Sorry man, I took that bait.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Sorry man, I took that bait.

Thanks Marv, no worries. It takes two to tango.

Edited November 10, 2015 by Teddy B

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Draconian administrative action has been taken against one member for violations of these TOS provisions:

"Make comments in a Post either direct or implied toward another member that are purposely designed to upset, antagonize, make fun of, belittle, harass, insult, or otherwise instigate an argument that takes away from the personal enjoyment of the Service by other users"

and

"Post Content intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against a broad demographic or group of people identified by a unifying trait or characteristic (discrimination). For instance, racist or sexist content may be considered hate speech."

VJ Moderation Team

Edited November 10, 2015 by TBoneTX

[Sousuke 1,214]

I don't think this has been posted yet.

This is one of the worst cases of police brutality I've ever seen. I feel really bad for the little boy and his family. I hope the two cops are prosecuted to the fullest extent.

Poor kid.

I think this has always happened. Its the cameras and the social media that are bringing attention to it. Stories like this would have been swept under the rug 30 years ago.