Latest Update: Derrick Groves, the New Orleans jail escapee who evaded capture for five months after a daring jailbreak, has been sentenced to two life terms for a 2018 double murder. The judge also imposed additional 50‑year sentences for attempted murder convictions.
Details of the Sentencing
- Date: December 12, 2025
- Location: Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, New Orleans
- Defendant: Derrick Groves, 28
- Convictions:
- Two counts of second‑degree murder for killing Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson at a Mardi Gras party in 2018.
- Two counts of attempted murder for wounding others in the same shooting.
- Prior guilty plea to manslaughter in two separate fatal shootings.
Judge Dennis Waldron handed Groves two life sentences plus two 50‑year terms, condemning his lack of remorse and disruptive escape.
The Jailbreak
- In May 2025, Groves and nine other inmates escaped the Orleans Parish Justice Center by crawling through a hole behind a toilet.
- They left graffiti mocking security: “To Easy LoL.”
- Groves remained at large for five months, until U.S. Marshals and Atlanta SWAT captured him in October, hiding beneath a house in Georgia.
Victims’ Families Speak
- Kadija Jackson, sister of victim Byron Jackson, gave an emotional testimony, recalling finding her brother dying after Groves fired an AK‑style rifle.
- She said she sends photos of him to his daughter so the girl can remember she once had a father.
- Groves reportedly smirked and stared at victims’ families during the hearing, further angering the court.
Judge’s Rebuke
Judge Waldron referenced Groves’ family history, noting his grandmother Kim Groves was murdered in 1994 by a corrupt police officer after reporting misconduct. He criticized Derrick Groves for “choosing the opposite path” and committing multiple killings instead of honoring her memory.
The judge emphasized that New Orleans is safer with Groves imprisoned for life, citing his defiance and lack of remorse, including video of him smiling and blowing kisses after his capture.
What’s Next
- Groves’ attorney, Peter Freiberg, said his client plans to appeal the convictions.
- He still faces separate charges related to the jailbreak itself.
- Orleans Parish DA Jason Williams stated the sentencing brings “a measure of justice” to families devastated by the 2018 shootings.
In summary: Derrick Groves’ sentencing closes one of New Orleans’ most notorious criminal cases, combining a brazen jailbreak with a deadly Mardi Gras shooting. While families gain some justice, Groves’ appeal and pending escape charges mean the legal battle is not yet over.
