Who is Derrick Groves, and why did a Judge sentence him to two life terms plus 100 years?
Derrick Groves sentenced to life for deadly 2018 Mardi Gras shooting. Image Credit: FBI
A New Orleans criminal court judge has sentenced Derrick Groves to two consecutive life sentences plus an additional 100 years in prison, bringing to a close one of the city’s most disturbing and long-delayed murder cases. The sentencing stems from a 2018 Mardi Gras Day shooting in the Lower Ninth Ward that left two young men dead and two others injured, and was later compounded by Groves’ dramatic escape from the Orleans Parish jail.
The ruling, delivered on December 12, 2025, follows years of court delays, a high-profile jailbreak, and growing public scrutiny over violent crime and jail security in New Orleans.
What Happened on Mardi Gras Day 2018
According to prosecutors, Groves opened fire on a crowd gathered outside a Ninth Ward home on Mardi Gras Day in 2018, killing 26-year-old Jamar Robinson and 21-year-old Byron Jackson, who were celebrating the end of Carnival season.
Investigators said the shooting was tied to a drug-related turf dispute, though the intended target was not hit. Instead, innocent bystanders paid the ultimate price, turning a day of celebration into a lasting tragedy for multiple families.
Groves was later convicted on two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, crimes that carry mandatory life sentences under Louisiana law.
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Judge Orders Sentences to Run Consecutively
During sentencing, Judge Dennis Waldron ordered the life terms to be served back-to-back, along with two maximum 50-year sentences for attempted murder, bringing the total punishment to life plus 100 years.
The judge described Groves’ actions as “egregious in nature” and said the defendant would live a “lonely life in state prison.” Groves reportedly smiled and laughed during portions of the sentencing, behavior that drew visible reactions inside the courtroom.
A Fugitive From Justice and Jail Escape
The case drew national attention again in May 2025, when Groves escaped from the Orleans Parish jail along with nine other inmates. Authorities labeled him one of the most dangerous escapees due to his violent criminal history.
Groves spent nearly five months on the run before being captured at a home in Atlanta on October 8, 2025. He now faces an additional charge of simple escape, which will be handled separately.
Judge Waldron referred to Groves as a fugitive from justice, noting that his escape and failure to appear in court would likely result in harsher incarceration conditions.
Emotional Testimony From Victims’ Families
Family members of Robinson and Jackson addressed the court, offering heartbreaking statements about lives cut short. Jackson’s sister told the judge that her brother’s death “shattered something inside her that will never heal,” emphasizing that his child will grow up without a father.
District Attorney Jason Williams stressed that the public focus often centers on defendants, while victims’ families live with fear and trauma for years, especially during the time Groves was at large.
A Tragic Family Legacy Highlighted in Court
In a striking moment, Judge Waldron referenced Groves’ grandmother, Kim Groves, who was murdered in 1994 by corrupt former New Orleans police officer Len Davis after filing a brutality complaint.
The judge told Groves he had chosen a path of violence rather than honoring his grandmother’s legacy, inflicting the same pain on other families that his own once endured.
More Legal Trouble Ahead
Despite the life sentences, Groves’ legal troubles are not over. He is still awaiting sentencing in two separate manslaughter cases and faces prosecution related to the jail escape.
He is currently housed at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, where he will spend the remainder of his life behind bars.
FAQ
Who is Derrick Groves?
Derrick Groves is a New Orleans man convicted of killing two people in a 2018 Mardi Gras Day shooting and later escaping from the Orleans Parish jail.
What crime did Derrick Groves commit?
Groves opened fire on a crowd in the Lower Ninth Ward, killing Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson and injuring two others.
What sentence did Derrick Groves receive?
He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus 100 years for murder and attempted murder.
Why did Derrick Groves become nationally known?
His case gained national attention after he escaped from jail in May 2025 and remained a fugitive for nearly five months.
Where was Derrick Groves arrested after the escape?
He was captured in Atlanta, Georgia, in October 2025.
Is Derrick Groves facing additional charges?
Yes. He still faces sentencing in two manslaughter cases and a charge related to the jail escape.
Where is Derrick Groves now?
He is incarcerated at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, serving life sentences.