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Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of State Police, announces the arrest of Norris Greenhouse Jr. and Derrick Stafford for the murder of Jeremy Mardis and the attempted murder of Chris Few during a press conference at 10 p.m. last Friday. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

Edmonson calls for healing (VIDEO)

'Tonight is about the death of Jeremy Mardis'

“Tonight is about the death of Jeremy Mardis,” an emotional State Police Col. Mike Edmonson told a small group of reporters Friday night in announcing the arrest of two men on charges of 2nd degree murder of the 6-year-old handicapped 1st grader and attempted 2nd-degree murder of his father, Chris Few, on a deadend street in Marksville this past Tuesday.
Those arrested were Norris Greenhouse Jr., 23, of Marksville -- a reserve officer for the Marksville City Police, a part-time deputy marshal for Ward 2/City of Marksville and a full-time Alexandria City Marshal’s officer -- and Derrick Stafford, 32, of Mansura -- a full-time Marksville Police lieutenant and part-time city/ward2 deputy marshal.
Edmonson, the superintendent of the State Police, began his address by noting that “72 hours ago tonight” the young life of Jeremy Mardis was ended, and that he was proud to stand before the public within 72 hours and announce the arrest of two men charged with that murder.
Because Greenhouse is the son of Assistant District Attorney Norris Greenhouse Sr., DA Charles Riddle said he will recuse his office from handling the prosecution of the case. It will be handed over to the Attorney General’s Office.
Edmonson said Jeremy “was buckled in the front seat of that car and that is how he died.”
Edmonson said the body camera video of the incident “is the most disturbing thing I’ve seen," but would not make any more detailed comments. He repeated later in the conference that “as a father, it was one of the most disturbing things I have witnessed." He said that “nothing is more important than this badge we wear,” and that the two men arrested Friday night had “tarnished that badge.”
“This is a wounded community,” he said. He also said there is "a lot of hurt" and called for a time of healing and for the city to “come together as a community.”
Edmonson said investigators will be going through the forensic evidence to determine the number of guns involved and the number of bullets fired. Reports on that aspect of the evidence could be finished by next week.
When asked if any other arrests were likely, he said only that “we will go where this takes us.”
All four guns of the officers at the scene have been seized and are at the Crime Lab in Baton Rouge.
Edmonson told the press conference, “Justice has been done tonight, but this investigation is far, far from over."

Edmonson calls for healing (VIDEO) | AvoyellesToday.com | Avoyelles Journal, Bunkie Record, Marksville Weekly | Avoyelles Parish, La.

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