‘Estranged and troubled’ acquaintance arrested in JPSO sergeant’s homicide

Darby was initially apprehended in Alabama because he was wanted in New Orleans for a sex registry violation.

A man wanted for the shooting death of a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office sergeant has been arrested in Alabama, Sheriff Newell Normand said at a Wednesday afternoon news conference. Darby had relocated to Tuscaloosa after Hurricane Katrina.

Authorities there are holding Darby on a warrant for second-degree murder out of Jefferson Parish, Hood confirmed. Normand says Darby went to lengths to hide the conviction and had a history of failing to register as required by law.

During questioning Darby admitted to following Marshall around on Sunday, but said he didn’t kill her. The sheriff said Darby’s cell phone pinged at a cell tower near Marshall’s home close to the time she was killed. Officers followed him Tuesday, and eventually arrested him during a traffic stop. Her body was found in her truck on Ashley Drive on Monday morning.

Investigators believe Marshall was shot Sunday night, and neighbors reported hearing gunfire about 9:30 p.m. The sheriff’s office received a report of gunfire in the area at about 9:40 p.m. but it was a different neighborhood. Darby was questioned due to his “estranged and troubled relationship he had with Marshall”.

Darby remains in Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond pending extradition to Louisiana. A search warrant was obtained in Tuscaloosa with regards to the murder and Tuscaloosa Police said they found probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Darby for Marshall’s killing.