Five trials, including three murder-homicide cases, offer judges, jurors and attorneys a busy week in Caddo District Court.
“Historically, three murder trials are rare in Caddo Parish during a single week,” said Mike Spence, Caddo Parish Clerk of Court. But, he said, “we are up to the challenge of longer hours for the deputy clerks in court. We have prepared for the District Attorney and District Judges to get to this point.”
In Section 1, before District Judge Donald Hathaway Jr., Christian Deandrea Combs, 37, is on trial for second-degree murder in connection with the October 1, 2018 slaying of Demetrius Patrell Davis. Mr. Davis, 26, was shot multiple times in the 4200 block of Madera Drive. Prosecutors are Assistant District Attorneys Jason Waltman and Courtney Ray. Combs is being defended by John Bokenfohr. The docket number is 362112.
Also in Section 1, in District Judge Katherine Dorroh’s court, Issac Denzel Watson faces four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Assistant District Attorneys in the case are Victoria Washington and Brittany Arvie. Michael Bowers is the defense attorney. The docket number is 385,110.
In Section 3, in a bench trial before District Judge Chris Victory, Shreveport Police officers Treona McCarter, 29; James LeClare, 29; Brian Ross, 28; and D’Marea Johnson, 26, face charges of negligent homicide and malfeasance in office in connection with the April 5, 2020 death of Tommie McGlothen Jr. The four officers are on administrative leave. The negligent homicide docket number for the four officers is 378600. The malfeasance docket number is 378599. The trial began late Monday, June 13, 2022, as it was delayed due to technical difficulties with Zoom teleconferencing. Prosecutors in the cases are Assistant District Attorneys Bill Edwards, Monique Metoyer and Kodie Smith. Defense attorneys are Dhu Thompson, Erin Brainard, Shante Wells and Sarah Giglio.
In Section 4, Jennifer Lois Laverne Ford, 32, is on trial before District Judge Ramona Emanuel in connection with the June 4, 2020 slaying of Jasper C. Martin III. Mr. Martin, 20, was stabbed in the chest on Henderson Avenue. Prosecutors are Assistant District Attorneys Nancy Berger-Schneider and Senae Hall. Ford is defended by Edward Mouton. The docket number is 376204.
In Section 5, before District Judge Erin Leigh Garrett, Assistant District Attorneys Ross Owen and Erica Jefferson began jury selection for the obstruction of justice and possession of schedule II and IV controlled dangerous substances with intent to distribute trial of Charles Baylor. Baylor, 28, is defended by Evan McMichael, Katie Evans and Royal Alexander. The docket number is 376591.