The Latest: Relatives say race is a factor in decision to charge deputies in boy’s death

MARKSVILLE, La. – The latest in the prosecution of two deputy marshals in the shooting death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis (all times local):

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12:15 p.m.

Relatives of a deputy city marshal charged with murder believe race is a factor in the decision by Louisiana authorities to prosecute him and another deputy in the shooting death of a 6-year-old boy.

Derrick Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr., the two deputies charged with second-degree murder, are both black. Police say they fatally wounded Jeremy Mardis and critically wounded his father, Chris Few, both of whom are white.

Stafford’s wife, Brittany Stafford, described the shooting as an “accident” and claimed authorities wouldn’t have brought charges against her husband or Greenhouse if they were white.

Brittany Stafford and Derrick Stafford’s aunt, Bertha Andrews, also said Few should bear some responsibility for the deadly encounter because he had been fleeing from the deputies.

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11:10 a.m.

A judge in central Louisiana has refused a request to reduce the $1 million bond for a deputy city marshal charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a 6-year-old boy.

State District Judge William Bennett heard witness testimony Thursday during Derrick Stafford’s bond reduction hearing.

Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr. face charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. The two Marksville deputy marshals are accused of opening fire on a car driven by Chris Few and killing his 6-year-old son, Jeremy Mardis, on Nov. 3.