Trending

Alabama police officer indicted in murder of suicidal man, officials say

Huntsville police officer William Darby, 25, has been indicted for murder after shooting and killing Jeffrey Parker, who called 911 threatening suicide. Photo: Madison County Jail

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A police officer in Huntsville, Alabama, has been indicted on a murder charge after shooting and killing a 49-year-old man during a mental health call, officials said Friday.

>> Read more trending news

Officer William Darby, 25, shot and killed Jeffrey Parker on April 3, Al.com reported.

TRENDING NOW:

Parker reportedly called 911 to report he was suicidal and had a gun. According to WHNT, Parker didn't respond to police commands to drop his gun.

Huntsville police determined Darby shot Parker one time, causing his death.

Darby and two other officers were placed on leave at the time of the shooting, but a review board cleared them of any wrongdoing about a month later, Al.com reported.

The Alabama grand jury saw the case differently.

Under state law, a murder charge requires the element of "intent," meaning the defendant meant to kill the victim, according to WAFF.

Huntsville police Chief Mark McMurray said at a news conference Friday that Darby is on administrative duty pending the outcome of his trial.

In a statement, McMurray said Darby is “by no means a murderer.”

A Huntsville police officer has been indicted on murder charges stemming from a mental health call. We are live at the Huntsville Police Department where police are expected to address the indictment. Read more here: https://trib.al/8JN7WLB

Posted by The Huntsville Times on Friday, August 3, 2018

"Officer Darby was called upon to make split second decisions in a nightmare scenario, the likes of which most people will never experience," said McMurray. "His training allowed him and his fellow officer to survive as he rushed bravely, without hesitation, into one of the most volatile and unpredictable situations a police officer is called upon to face."

Madison County District Attorney Robert Broussard told WAFF his office had enough concern about the incident to present the case to a Madison County grand jury.

Friday’s grand jury indictment determined that there is enough evidence to formally charge Darby and send the case to trial.