Darren Bridges has been found guilty of killing New Orleans officer

HAPPENING NOW, THE FATE OF AN ALLEGED COP KILLER IS IN THE HANDS OF AN ORLEANS PARISH JURY. THIS FOLLOWS MORE THAN A WEEK OF EMOTIONAL TESTIMONY, EVEN VIDEO EVIDENCE. YEAH, SHE’S HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS CASE FOR US SINCE IT STARTED. SHE JOINS US LIVE OUTSIDE CRIMINAL COURT WITH WHERE STAND RIGHT NOW, MORGAN. WE KNOW THE JURY STILL OUT. YEAH, THAT’S RIGHT, TRAVIS. AND LOOK, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS CASE IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO INTENT. THAT IS WHY BOTH THE D.A. AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN THEIR CLOSING ASKED THE JURY THIS, DID IT, DARREN BRIDGES, TO AS TO KILL OFFICER MARCUS MCNEILL MCNEILL IN AN IMPASSIONED SPEECH TO JURORS, ATTORNEY JASON WILLIAMS SHOUTED THAT SHOT AS SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWED DARREN BRIDGES FIRE A THIRD AND FINAL TIME AT NOPD OFFICER MARCUS MCNEILL. HE SAYS ENTIRE CASE RESTS ON THAT MOMENT WHEN HE ARGUES SHOWS INTENT BECAUSE MCNEILL WAS ALREADY ON THE GROUND FACE DOWN. NOW, ULTIMATELY, THE QUESTION OF WHY DARREN BRIDGES DID WHAT HE DID WILL BE FOR JURORS TO DEBATE BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO CONVICT HIM OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER OR A LESSER CHARGE. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY HE COULD GET A VERDICT IF THE JURY SAW FIT IN THIS CASE, THAT WOULD NOT REQUIRE MANDATORY LIFE IN THIS FORMER PROSECUTOR SAYS THAT MIGHT THE DEFENSE’S STRATEGY. ATTORNEYS FOR BRIDGES CHOSE TO FOCUS ON WHAT JURORS NOT SEE ON CAMERAS RECORDING THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 13TH, 2017. SAYING THEIR CLIENT FEARED FOR HIS LIFE AND WAS THE VICTIM OF UNLAWFUL ARREST, GIVING HIM THE RIGHT TO DEFEND HIMSELF. WHAT THE JURY THINKS REMAINS TO BE SEEN. PEOPLE WILL GET HEATED. THEY WILL START TO SORT OF ARGUE THEIR PERSPECTIVES. AND, YOU KNOW, THEY’RE THERE TALKING ABOUT DELIBERATING A PENALTY THAT INVOLVES A LIFE SENTENCE. EXPECT THERE TO BE THOROUGH CONVERSATION. SO DID BRIEFLY WITH DISTRICT ATTORNEY JASON WILLIAMS WHEN HE WALKED OUT AS THE JURY WAS IN LUNCH EARLIER, I ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT PUBLICLY AT THIS TIME. HE SAID RIGHT NOW, BUT HE SAID THAT COULD DEFINITELY CHANGE. THERE IS A VERDICT. SO WE WILL OF COURSE KEEP YOU POSTED. REPORTING LI

Darren Bridges has been found guilty of killing a New Orleans police officer.Bridges has been convicted of fatally shooting New Orleans police Officer Marcus McNeil in October of 2017.Bridges faces a mandatory life sentence. He was also convicted of intent to distribute cocaine, possession charges, obstruction of justice, and an attempt of aggravated assault. His sentencing date will be on Nov. 2.During closing arguments, District Attorney Jason Williams, who has chosen to prosecute the case himself, told jurors that Bridges "executed" McNeil, who was known by the nickname "Milk Dud."Jurors were shown body camera footage and video from surveillance cameras, which captured the deadly shooting. Williams said the third and final shot fired by Bridges indicated his intent to murder McNeil because, in the video, the officer is seen lying facedown on the ground. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson released the following statement on the verdict: "We are pleased that the jury delivered justice to the family of slain Officer Marcus McNeil. I want to assure the McNeil family that their NOPD family is with them now and will remain with them forever.The men and women who served with Officer McNeil can rest easier knowing that justice has been served.I want to especially thank District Attorney Jason Williams and his team for bringing this prosecution to a successful conclusion. It is encouraging to see the criminal justice system work as it should and that the perpetrator that took the life of a man who served his city selflessly will be held accountable for his actions."

Darren Bridges has been found guilty of killing a New Orleans police officer.

Bridges has been convicted of fatally shooting New Orleans police Officer Marcus McNeil in October of 2017.

Bridges faces a mandatory life sentence. He was also convicted of intent to distribute cocaine, possession charges, obstruction of justice, and an attempt of aggravated assault.

His sentencing date will be on Nov. 2.

During closing arguments, District Attorney Jason Williams, who has chosen to prosecute the case himself, told jurors that Bridges "executed" McNeil, who was known by the nickname "Milk Dud."

Jurors were shown body camera footage and video from surveillance cameras, which captured the deadly shooting.

Williams said the third and final shot fired by Bridges indicated his intent to murder McNeil because, in the video, the officer is seen lying facedown on the ground.

NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson released the following statement on the verdict:

"We are pleased that the jury delivered justice to the family of slain Officer Marcus McNeil. I want to assure the McNeil family that their NOPD family is with them now and will remain with them forever.

The men and women who served with Officer McNeil can rest easier knowing that justice has been served.

I want to especially thank District Attorney Jason Williams and his team for bringing this prosecution to a successful conclusion. It is encouraging to see the criminal justice system work as it should and that the perpetrator that took the life of a man who served his city selflessly will be held accountable for his actions."

Darren Bridges has been found guilty of killing New Orleans officer

GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

Top Picks