And then, there were none. The last remaining escapee from the Orleans Parish jailbreak has been captured. Derrick Groves was taken into custody in Atlanta yesterday following an hours-long standoff. He and nine others escaped from the jail back on May 16th. State Police Colonel Robert Hodges told a news conference last night that Groves’ capture marks the end of a five-month ordeal.
“All have been returned to correctional facilities, where they no longer pose a threat to the residents and visitors of Louisiana,” Hodges said.
Attorney General Liz Murrill says these last five months have been very taxing for everyone involved in trying to capture Groves.
“It’s been expensive. It has been very scary for a lot of people, for staff at the DA’s office, for victims and witnesses who might have been involved in some of these cases that implicated Derek Groves,” Murrill said.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams says the public was very instrumental in capturing not only Groves, but many of the other ten escapees.
“When you call in, when you provide that tip, when you show up in court, that’s what makes this happen.” Williams said.
In addition to the charges he’s been awaiting sentencing for, including second-degree murder, Groves will also be charged with simple escape, and he will also likely face charges in Georgia and from federal prosecutors. Once he’s extradited back to Louisiana, whether voluntarily or otherwise, he will be incarcerated in Angola.
