Alabama officer getting paid after murder conviction resigns

An Alabama police officer who remained on his city's payroll for two months after being convicted of murder has resigned from the Huntsville Police Department.

Officer William Darby left of his own accord, the city told WAAY-TV on Friday.

Darby has been on paid leave since his May 7 conviction for shooting a suicidal man who was holding a gun to his own head.

This booking photograph from Friday, May 7, 2021, shows Huntsville, Ala., police officer William Darby, who was convicted of murder in a fatal shooting that happened in 2018.   Darby resigned on Friday, July 23, after being paid by the city for more than two months after his murder conviction. (Madison County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

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The city said placing Darby on paid leave was normal until its personnel policies and procedures could be completed. Huntsville's Republican mayor and police chief publicly disagreed with the jury's murder verdict.

A lawyer for the family of victim Jeffery Parker said allowing Darby to resign instead of being terminated either immediately after the 2018 killing or after his murder conviction was unacceptable and "a bizarre and unnecessary distraction."

"The Parker family is looking forward to proceeding in the civil case and with the goal of holding Darby and the city of Huntsville responsible," attorney Martin Weinberg said in a statement to media outlets.

Huntsville officials didn't give any additional details on Darby's resignation.

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He is out on $100,000 bail as he waits to be sentenced on Aug. 20. Prosecutors said he faces 20 years to life in prison.

Darby shot Parker moments after joining two other officers who had responded to a 911 call from the man, who said he was armed and planned to kill himself.

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One of the officers, who has since left the force, testified that Parker was upset but talking with her and posed no immediate threat despite the gun he held to his head. Jurors rejected defense claims that the shooting was justified.

A defense attorney said Darby will appeal.

July 25, 2021 at 08:57AM
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