Pre-trial hearing held for Huntsville police officer charged with murder

Pre-trial hearing held for Huntsville police officer charged with murder

New at four... in the last hour and a half -- the pre-trial hearing for the huntsville police officer charged with murder wrapped up.

William darby is accused of shooting and killing - jeffrey parker - in april 2018 during a standoff where parker threatened to kill himself.

Police say darby only fired after parker refused to drop his weapon.

Waay 31's alex torres-perez joins us live from the madison county courthouse with what was discussed.

Alex... officer william darby did not attend his pre-trial hearing this afternoon.

Only his attorney - robert tuten -- appeared before the judge.

They discussed several motions that were filed recently.

Both sides agreed with the motion to not use any evidence or the decision from the huntsville police incident review board.

However -- they disagreed with the other 2 motions.

Darby's attorney wants to show evidence of another officer's need for retraining following the deadly standoff in 2018.

Tuten says she violated the protocols putting herself in danger and causing his defendant to shoot.

However-- prosecutors say that evidence is irrelevant because darby is the one on trial not the other officer.

The other motion they disagree with regard's that same officer's testimony during the stand your ground hearing last year.

Officer genisha pegues testified she heard the victim jeffrey parker say quote "i don't want to hurt you."

The defense team wants that statement to be excluded from the trial because it was not heard by any other officers or darby.

Tuten says the statement is irrelevant to darby's decision to fire his weapon.

Prosecutors responded quote "you can't have your cake and eat it too."

They argue the testimony is needed to understand officcer pegues' actions and say darby didn't take enough time to listen to parker before firing his weapon.

Both of those motions are now under consideration from the judge.

Darby's murder trial is set to begin may 3rd.

Reporting live in hsv atp waay 31 news.