Trial begins for Louisiana cop who fatally shot autistic 6-year-old during traffic stop

By Jennifer Cruz

Derrick Stafford on his way to court. (Photo: Associated Press)
The jury trial began this week for one of the Louisiana deputies involved in a November 2015 shooting in Marksville that left a six-year-old autistic boy dead.
Deputy Marshal Derrick Stafford, 33, and Norris Greenhouse, Jr., 25, are each charged with second-degree murder for the death of Jeremy Mardis, as well as attempted second-degree murder of the boy’s father, Christopher Few. Stafford’s trial started this week, while Greenhouse’s trial will begin later this year, the Associated Press reports.
The deadly confrontation occurred on Nov. 3, 2015, as the officers attempted to stop Few, who was driving while Mardis was buckled in the front passenger seat. But the accounts of what led to the traffic stop and subsequent shooting varied considerably between the prosecution and defense.
An autopsy revealed Mardis was killed after being struck by four of the 18 bullets fired by the officers, who were unaware the boy was in the front seat when they opened fire. Few, though also struck by gunfire, survived and was painted as “the author of that child’s fate” by defense attorney Jonathan Goins.
“Innocent people do not run from the police. Innocent people stop their vehicles, surrender to

Source: Guns.com