By: Ashley Hamilton | wgno.com | October 10, 2025
ATLANTA, Ga. (WGNO) — Nearly five months after escaping from the Orleans Parish jail, Derrick Groves will return to Louisiana after agreeing to be extradited during a court appearance in Georgia.
“I want to return where I am from,” said Groves.
“Do you want to return to Louisiana?” asked the judge.
“Yes,” said Groves.
“If he considers home Angola, that’s where he’s going. So, that’s going to be his new home for the rest of his life,” said Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says discussions are already underway to bring Groves back. Though an exact date has not yet been set.
Groves appeared in court one day after he was found hiding in the crawlspace of a home in Atlanta.
Authorities say they figured out where Groves was hiding, even speaking to acquaintances in Chalmette.
Goyeneche says it only took one good tip and police work to recapture Groves.
“They need people to tell them what rock to turn over where the needle is in the proverbial haystack. And that’s what happened with six of the 10 escapees. That’s what happened with Derrick Groves,” said Goyeneche.
District Attorney Jason Williams says the capture of Groves is a breath of fresh air for not only victims but also his employees. They helped convict Groves of murder and attempted murder for a shooting at a Mardi Gras block party in 2018.
“They immediately left town with their families. On the heels of the escape, he did not know where he was or what his intentions were. But they have been back at work, working very hard for the people of the city,” said Williams.
Meanwhile, Goyeneche believes Groves may have left the state for his own safety.
“He was out of state aid to make it a little bit harder, but also for his own protection as well, because there were more than just the authorities looking for him. There was some street justice. I think that he was concerned about,” said Goyneche.
He also says that while the last escapee is now in custody, the investigation is far from over.
“And I suspect that there will be additional arrests made in people who assisted him in evading apprehension for these last five months,” said Goyneche.
Louisiana has nearly three weeks to pick him up. If the state doesn’t, Groves could be released from custody.