NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — District Attorney Jason Williams and the New Orleans Police Department held a press conference outside Criminal District Court on Wednesday afternoon to speak about the first-degree murder conviction of Darren Bridges, a man who fatally shot an NOPD officer in 2017.
A grand jury found Bridges guilty of the murder of NOPD officer Marcus McNeil on Tuesday night. WGNO crews were in the courtroom when the verdict was announced. The jury found Bridges guilty of the obstruction of justice and drug charges. Additionally, Bridges was also found guilty of attempted aggravated assault of a police officer.
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At the news conference, Officer Marcus McNeil’s mother, Dr. Kimberly McNeil said, “I am so glad that the trial is over, but unfortunately the pain that is left for us to carry will go on forever.”
Superintendent Shaun Ferguson with the NOPD said, “He was a true public servant. Someone who made the ultimate sacrifice for the City of New Orleans.”
Officer Marcus McNeil was known to his fellow officers called, “Milkdud.”
Last night a jury convicted Darren Bridges of fatally shooting Officer McNeil. District Attorney Jason Williams prosecuted the case.
“Marcus was doing his job and to be absolutely clear he did it right. He did it constitutionally, and he did it fairly. In this case, the defense tried to prove that Marcus used excessive force on Darren Bridges, but that was a lie.”
FULL PRESS CONFERENCE: Jason Williams talks guilty verdict of Darren Bridges after 2017 shooting of NOPD Officer Marcus McNeil.
And the sad truth remains for Marcus’ mother that her son is gone.
“I didn’t want him to join the NOPD, but he made it very clear that’s what he wanted to do. Having to lose him the way that I lost him, although it is difficult, I can only be grateful that he was able to live his dream.”
Previous Coverage: The Darren Bridges Trial
- Trial begins for man in the fatal shooting of an NOPD officer during 2017 traffic stop
- Opening statements begin in murder trial of NOPD officer Marcus McNeil
- Day 2: Trial of man accused of fatally shooting NOPD officer
- Murder trial of NOPD Officer Marcus McNeil continues with testimony from Sgt. David Barnes
- Darren Bridges trial nears to a close with debate of whether a person’s actions after being tased are voluntary