Jamar Lester Robinson, a 26-year-old African American man, was tragically killed on Mardi Gras, February 13, 2018, in New Orleans, Louisiana. What should have been a day of celebration turned into a scene of unimaginable violence around 8:18 p.m. on St. Claude Avenue. Robinson was one of five people struck by gunfire in a quintuple shooting that also claimed the life of 21-year-old Byron Jackson.
Three other individuals were wounded in the attack, which authorities later linked to gang-related activities.
The investigation into the deadly shooting led authorities to identify Kendall Barnes and Derrick 'Woo' Groves as the primary suspects. Both men, in their early twenties at the time, were subsequently arrested and faced a seven-count indictment from an Orleans Parish grand jury. The charges included two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Robinson and Jackson, three counts of attempted second-degree murder for the other victims, and two counts of obstruction of justice in a homicide investigation.
The legal journey to bring justice for Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson was long and complex, involving multiple trials. Barnes and Groves were initially convicted in 2019. However, a new state law mandating unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases necessitated a retrial. This new legal chapter was fraught with challenges, including a mistrial and a deadlocked jury, prolonging the anguish for the victims' families.
Ultimately, the perseverance of the justice system and the families of the victims prevailed. In October 2024, a jury delivered a unanimous verdict, finding Derrick Groves guilty on all counts, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. This conviction, coming more than six years after the tragic event, brought a measure of closure to the families who had endured a painful and protracted legal battle. The case highlighted the devastating impact of gun violence and the arduous path to achieving justice.
