The Latest Charges Against Derrick Groves: A Timeline Of Convictions, Escape, And 2025 Arraignment
Complete Biography and Timeline of Charges for Derrick Groves
Derrick Groves is a convicted murderer whose criminal record spans nearly a decade, primarily centered in New Orleans, Louisiana. His legal troubles escalated dramatically following a deadly shooting incident and a subsequent escape from custody.
- Full Name: Derrick Groves
- Age: Approximately 28 years old (as of late 2025, based on being 17 in 2014)
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
- 1st Major Arrest (2014): Arrested and incarcerated at age 17 on a charge of attempted second-degree murder. He was later released after nearly two years.
- Mardi Gras Shooting (2018): Groves was implicated in a fatal shooting on Mardi Gras Day in 2018, where he fired dozens of bullets from an assault rifle into a family block party. The victims killed in this incident were Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson.
- Federal Conviction (2021): Sentenced in November 2021 for federal firearms and drug violations.
- Murder Conviction (October 2024): Following a June 2023 retrial, Groves was found guilty on all counts: two charges of second-degree murder and two charges of attempted second-degree murder related to the 2018 Mardi Gras shooting.
- Sentencing Status (Pre-Escape): He was scheduled to be sentenced in December 2024, but a judge recused herself, and Groves had not been sentenced when he escaped.
- New Orleans Jailbreak (May 2025): Groves was one of ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center.
- Capture (2025): Groves was the last of the ten escapees to be captured after a standoff.
- Current Status (Late 2025): Transported to Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and arraigned on new escape charges.
The Core Charges: Second-Degree Murder and Attempted Murder
The most severe charges against Derrick Groves stem from the 2018 Mardi Gras family block party shooting. This tragic event resulted in a multi-count conviction that cemented his status as a convicted murderer.
The jury’s verdict in October 2024 found him guilty of four major felony counts:
- Two Counts of Second-Degree Murder: These charges relate to the deaths of Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson. Second-degree murder in Louisiana carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
- Two Counts of Attempted Second-Degree Murder: These charges were for the other individuals wounded in the assault rifle attack.
The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office emphasized that the conviction was a result of Groves firing dozens of bullets into a crowd, highlighting the extreme violence and recklessness of the crime. The families of the victims endured a long legal journey, which included an initial mistrial before the final guilty verdict was secured.
The Shocking 2025 New Orleans Jailbreak and New Escape Charges
The legal focus shifted dramatically in May 2025 when Derrick Groves, along with nine other inmates, executed a mass escape from the Orleans Justice Center. Groves, a convicted killer, became a high-priority fugitive.
For nearly two months, Groves eluded law enforcement, even as his fellow escapees were slowly apprehended. His time on the run ended with his capture, and he was subsequently transported to the maximum-security Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.
The escape itself led to a new set of serious legal proceedings for Groves:
- New Escape Charges: Upon his return to custody, Groves was formally charged with offenses related to the jailbreak.
- Arraignment from Angola: In a significant procedural update, Groves was arraigned on the escape charges via a virtual hearing (Zoom) from Angola.
- Plea: During this arraignment, Derrick Groves entered a plea of not guilty to the new escape charges.
The addition of these escape charges further complicates his legal standing, although his conviction for two counts of second-degree murder remains the central and most consequential aspect of his case. His waiver of an extradition hearing in Atlanta was a key step in returning him to Louisiana to face these new proceedings.
What’s Next in the Derrick Groves Case?
The current status of Derrick Groves’ case involves two distinct legal tracks: his conviction for the Mardi Gras shooting and the new charges for the New Orleans jailbreak.
First, the court must address the original convictions. Because he was not sentenced before his escape, the next critical step will be the formal sentencing for the two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Given the mandatory life sentence for second-degree murder in Louisiana, the sentencing is expected to result in life imprisonment.
Second, the legal system will move forward with the prosecution of the escape charges. While he has pleaded not guilty to these new crimes, the evidence surrounding the mass jailbreak will be presented in court. The outcome of the escape case will determine any additional time he will serve, though it is secondary to the life sentence he faces for his murder convictions.
The entire ordeal, from the horrific Mardi Gras shooting to the dramatic jailbreak, has placed Derrick Groves at the center of a major criminal justice narrative in New Orleans, highlighting the ongoing efforts of the Orleans Parish District Attorney to secure justice for the victims of violent crime.
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