May 29, 2023
A Keithville man known as “the Watermelon Man” was convicted of aggravated battery Friday, May 26, 2023 in Caddo District Court.
The two-man, four-woman jury in District Judge Katherine Dorroh’s courtroom deliberated just over an hour before returning its unanimous verdict against Timothy Ray Morrison, 61, in connection with a July 2022 beating that left his victim with a severe head injury and significant hearing loss.
On July 28, 2022, Morrison, a local produce seller, argued with his victim, a potential client, in the 3000 block of Devaughn Street in the Werner Park neighborhood. The victim was struck in the head with a metal table leg, and suffered a three-inch laceration to his head that required stitches and staples. He also lost 60 percent of his hearing.
When Morrison returns to face Judge Dorroh July 18, he faces up to 10 years in prison with or without hard labor and a fine of up to $5,000.
He was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kendra Joseph and Jason Waltman. He was defended by Carl Henry Franklin.
The case was docket No. 391652
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