St. Landry Parish, La(KADN)-Â In St. Landry Parish, a rise in killings is making that rural area as deadly per capita as some major cities.
The rapid violent crime increase poses a challenge for police and prosecutors to get justice for the murder victims and their families.
"My child's life was taken for nothing. Absolutely nothing."
It's been almost three months for Shanette Darby since her son, Ryan'Trayvian Darby was murdered in Opelousas. In recent days she received the call she had been waiting for.
"I am just glad about the indictment. When she called me I felt a whole lot better after hearing that the grand jury decided to indict him. So now we have a true bill, which I knew it was going to be," says Darby.
To offset the number of homicide cases on hold, St. Landry District Attorney Chad Pitre says, his office has increased the number of full-time felony prosecutors and support division.
"We have more prosecutions of serious violent offenders. We have quicker indictments and more cases going to trial. That's what the public wants and that's what we are delivering," explains DA Pitre.
Pitre says they are cutting the delay of backlogged cases in half, averaging an indictment within a month or two.
However, he reminds the public that murder trials take time. "Crime statistics are showing that crime is on the increase in rural and metropolitan areas. We can only get convictions if we receive credible evidence to convict. Then you have to be convicted in the burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt."
For families waiting on a call about justice for a loved one murdered, Darby has a message for them. "Do not give up. Just keep trying to get answers because something is going to come out."
The district attorney says in order to see criminals brought to justice quicker, law enforcement needs the public help if they know anything about unsolved murder cases that could lead to an arrest.
