First, I must say I am saddened by the news of the passing of my friend, Attorney Jim McMichael. My condolences to his wife, Sharla, and their family. Jim was a giant in our local legal community and will be sorely missed.
And we say goodbye to our 2024 class of summer interns. This group of college and high school students have done a great job this summer as they learn a little about the criminal court system. Interns also participated in our Second Annual Caddo Parish District Attorney Youth Leadership Academy, and all the campers had an outstanding week of camp, the brainchild of our Special Victims Unit Chief Britney Green. Best wishes to them all this school year!
I also want to thank the local high school football coaches who gathered for our annual free football camp for boys and girls. Special thanks to head coaches Huntington High School’s Steve Dennis, C.E. Byrd’s Stacey Ballew, North Desoto’s Chase Thompson and Southwood’s Mike Green for their help in making this camp another huge success. Special shout out to Raising Canes for providing lunch for the kids and their parents.
Caddo Parish’s schools classes begin August 8. Let’s all pray for a great school year for our community. Please observe all school zone speed limits as school zone violators will continue to be prosecuted fully. Children’s safety remains my priority. New state law mandates that cell phones are not allowed during school. All Caddo middle schools and high schools will have airport style metal detectors to enter the school. And our new Sheriff promises a law enforcement officer at every school in this parish.
Our parish currently has around 32,000 public school students. I am proud to report that our parish truancy numbers have leveled off to pre-pandemic levels. Still a few problem parents persist, as you saw last week as warrants were executed and parents taken to jail by Shreveport Police Department and Shreveport City Marshal’s office on the bench warrants sought by my office on the parents who did not cooperate with truancy court this past school year. Eight parents found themselves in jail. Furthermore, local law enforcement, school board officials and my office met in July to plan this year’s criminal prosecution of parents of any remaining parents who fail to cooperate with efforts to get their children in school. Those parents will be fully prosecuted.
In July, two great accolades have happened to two of my Assistant District Attorneys hired during my term as your District Attorney.
I would like to congratulate Her Honor to be, our now-former Section chief Brittany Arvie, for her unopposed election as Shreveport City Court Judge, replacing retired Chief Judge Pammela Lattier. Brittany has done great work for our office and will be sorely missed. Senae Hall will be the new Section Chief in Section 4 (before the Honorable Ramona Emanuel) and Fernando Grider will be the Felony Assistant with a new Misdemeanor Assistant coming on board some time in August.
I also congratulate another of our Felony Assistant District Attorneys, Cheyenne Wilson, who has been hired by the United States Attorney’s Office. We welcome on board Glenn Cortello, the new Felony Assistant in Section 1, before the Honorable Don Hathaway Jr. Cheyenne has been on a rocket ship as a prosecutor, as she came all the way up from our above mentioned summer intern program as a law student at Southern University, and then after graduation to our office as a misdemeanor assistant, to felony assistant, and now to her dream job at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. She will be sorely missed as well and will do a great job for our nation.
As usual , our office boasts of conviction after conviction in the month of July. I thank my Assistant District Attorneys, DA support staff, law enforcement officers, our Caddo judges, court staff , and the citizen jurors who serve for your hard work. Of special note are the following cases:
* A man convicted in June in connection with the May 1, 2022 death of Shreveport teen Landry Anglin must serve the rest of his life in prison with no chance of pardon, parole or reduction of sentence.
District Judge Ramona Emanuel imposed the mandatory sentence July 16 on Kenmiccael Dano Ray, 25, following a sentencing hearing, at which 13-year-old Anglin’s parents both gave emotional and heartfelt victim impact statements to the court.
On May 1, 2022, Ray murdered young Landry, who was shot once in the home of a relative in the 4500 block of Fairfield Avenue. Evidence produced at trial proved that the defendant was affiliated with a gang in Shreveport, and video evidence showed Ray firing an assault-style rifle at a vehicle following him on Erie Street between Thornhill and Line. Following the shooting, he fled to Arlington, Texas, and was apprehended five days later.
Gavontay Johnson, Tramaine Taylor, and Deanthony Johnson, all codefendants, are awaiting trial.
Assistant District Attorneys Ron Christopher Stamps, Christopher Bowman and Britney Green prosecuted the case. Leslie Kelly defended Ray.
The case was docket Nos. 389215 and 389620.
* A man who shot his girlfriend seven times at their residence on Dallas Street last August was found guilty of second-degree murder July 24 in Caddo District Court.
It took the nine-woman, three-man jury in District Judge Michael Pitman’s court 15 minutes to return its guilty-as-charged verdict against Richard Refund Spencer, 56, of Minden.
On August 16, 2023, Spencer shot and killed his live-in girlfriend, Michelle Wells, at her home in the 3000 block of Dallas Street. Witnesses told police they saw Spencer leave the house after the shooting. Spencer surrendered to authorities two days later and confessed to shooting Wells, claiming he only meant to scare her. Spencer’s gun was recovered from his vehicle, and ballistics matched it to shell casings and bullets recovered from the crime scene. Additionally, his DNA was found on the gun’s trigger. Spencer faces a mandatory life term in prison at hard labor.
Prosecutors were Assistant District Attorneys Bill Edwards and Kodie Smith. Spencer was defended by Michael Enright and Katie Miller.
The case was docket No. 397087.
* A Bethany man accused of a home invasion last year pleaded guilty as charged July 23, just as the first witness against him began to testify as his trial commenced.
Caddo District Judge John D. Mosely Jr. immediately sentenced Odis Dewayne Simmons, 58, to serve seven years at hard labor.
On April 16, 2023, Shreveport Police responded to a disturbance call at a residence on Central Street in the Morningside neighborhood. The caller, the adult son of Simmons’ former girlfriend, reported that Simmons entered his mother’s residence without permission. The woman told officers Simmons entered her home through her bathroom window, found her in her bedroom and started to hit her. He then placed his hands around her neck and started to choke her. Her son heard her screams and attempted to stop Simmons’ attack. After a struggle, Simmons tried to leave. Officers searched for him, and finally located him in a closet in the home.
Assistant District Attorneys Victoria Washington and Jasmine Cooper prosecuted Simmons. He was defended by Casey Simpson and Hilary Hileman.
The case was docket No. 394874.
* A Shreveport woman who killed an elderly man in the Sunset Acres neighborhood with a knife pleaded guilty to the slaying July 16 and was sentenced to 40 years at hard labor.
LaKendra Wesley, 37, pleaded guilty before District Judge Ramona Emanuel to manslaughter in the June 2018 death of Kenneth Miller. Wesley also pleaded guilty to unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, receiving a six-year sentence, to be served concurrently with the manslaughter term.
The killing occurred on or about June 22, 2018 through June 24, 2018 on Waggoner Street. A concerned neighbor contacted police after he had not seen Mr. Miller in a few days. Police arrived and found the victim’s door unlocked. From the doorway police could see Mr. Miller, 81, deceased with a knife lodged in the side of his head. Wesley was found a few days later with a cut to her hand. Her DNA was found on the weapon.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brittany Arvie. Royal Alexander defended Wesley.
The case was docket Nos. 362115 and 360830.
* A 19-year-old Shreveporter pleaded guilty July 18 to manslaughter in connection with the September 7, 2021 shooting death of a man in a trailer park.
Nikolas Brown agreed to serve a 20-year prison sentence for killing La’Derrick Grant, also 19, in the Pinecrest trailer park. Grant and two companions were walking down the road in front of Brown’s residence when Brown started to argue with one of Grant’s companions over alleged social media communications with Brown’s girlfriend. Brown and Grant’s companion both were armed with handguns and as Grant and his companions walked away, shots rang out. Grant, who was not armed and posed no threat to Brown, was struck once in the chest and died on the scene.
Assistant District Attorneys Kendra Joseph and Christopher Bowman prosecuted the case, docket No. 385241. Casey Simpson defended Brown.
* A Shreveport woman who shot her husband and then doused his body with gasoline must serve life in prison, and then some, a Caddo district judge ruled.
Charlene Henderson, 45, found guilty in June of the May 16, 2022 second-degree murder of Larry Clark, also 45, was sentenced July 16 to the life term mandated by state law by District Judge John D. Mosely Jr.. She was sentenced to another 20 years in prison, to be served consecutively, for conviction of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Henderson shot and killed her husband, then covered his body with carpet and texted a cellphone photo of his body to a family member. Then 25 minutes later, she called 911 to report the slaying. When officers arrived on scene they noted an overwhelming smell of gasoline in the residence. Crime scene photos showed ashes covering Larry Clark’s body under the carpet.
Henderson was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Courtney N. Ray and Jasmine Cooper. She was defended by Casey Simpson, Harry Johnson and Hilary Hileman.
The case was docket No. 389211.
* A man who shot and killed an acquaintance in the Highland neighborhood will serve the rest of his life in prison for the crime, a Caddo Parish judge ruled July 15.
District Judge Michael Pitman ordered Torail Thomas, 44, to the mandatory term for the November 10, 2022 second-degree murder of Da’Twaine Broomfield. Thomas also must serve 20 years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and 30 years for obstruction of justice, all sentences to run consecutive to one another.
Victim Broomfield, 32, arrived at Thomas’s home on Boulevard Street and an argument ensued. Neighbors heard a conversation upstairs, followed by gunshots and after a pause, additional gunshots. Thomas was seen running from his home and tossing items underneath it and the house next door. When asked by a neighbor what had happened, he said there was a dead man in his home. He told responding officers Broomfield had consumed some methamphetamine and that while he was in the bathroom, someone else had shot Broomfield. Firearm parts of the murder weapon were found under the home. When confronted by detectives, Thomas eventually confessed to shooting Broomfield, claiming self-defense, even though the victim was not armed.
Thomas was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Sam Crichton and Victoria Washington. He was defended by Michael Enright and Katie Miller.
The case was docket No. 392346.
* A Shreveport woman accused of shaking a baby to death was found guilty of the crime July 11. The trial was originally to have been before a jury, but as jurors were about to be chosen July 8, defendant Tatianna Jenell Burns, 42, asked for a bench trial before District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.
After presentation of prosecution and defense cases, and deliberation by Judge Hathaway, the court found Burns, also known as Tatianna Washington, guilty as charged of second-degree murder in the death of a non-related child A.W., aged 18 months at the time of her death on June 5, 2020.
Over the course of the trial, the District Attorney’s office called 11 witnesses to prove Burns murdered A.W., shaking her to death at her home in Caddo parish. Evidence at trial established that Burns was caring for a toddler with whom she shared no familial relationship, and that Burns had previously cared for another unrelated child in 2013, and who was removed from her home following an investigation that determined she had tortured the child. The state called four medical doctors who agreed that bleeding and swelling and brain bleeds to A.W. resulted from acute abusive head trauma. Prosecutors presented a combination of medical and testimonial evidence to prove that the defendant was the only person who had access to the child at the time she was injured.
Assistant District Attorneys Jason Waltman and Christopher Bowman prosecuted for the state. Leslie Kelly defended Burns.
The case was docket No. 377592.
* A man who broke into a Keithville church late last year and stole numerous items pleaded guilty to the crime July 9. The pleading occurred just after a six-person jury had been seated and the first witness was sworn in.
Joshua Matthew Boyett, 31, admitted to simple burglary with regard to the September 23, 2023 break-in of the Providence Road Baptist Church before District Judge Donald Hathaway Jr. Caddo Parish deputies went to the church to investigate thefts reported at a church building. Investigation led to Boyett and another man who lived nearby. A search warrant was issued and executed, leading to the discovery of several items that belonged to the church.
When Boyett returns for sentencing September 17, he faces a prison term of up to 12 years with or without hard labor.
Boyett was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephen Folk-Cruthirds and Christopher Bowman. He was defended by Carlos Prudhomme.
The case was docket No. 397851.
* A man who stole a sedan and threatened its owner pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery July 9.
Lorenzo Oliver Jr., 21, admitted to stealing a 2012 Volkswagen Passat on May 28, 2022, making his plea before District Judge Donald Hathaway Jr., just prior to the seating of the jury.
During the robbery on Kent Avenue, Oliver led the vehicle’s owner to believe that he was armed with a firearm.
When Oliver returns to Judge Hathaway’s court September 16, 2024, he faces a hard-labor prison term of at least three and up to 40 years, without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.
Oliver was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Cheyenne Wilson and Jason Waltman. He was defended by Sean Landry.
The case was docket No. 391226.
* A local man who carjacked and severely injured an acquaintance who gave him a ride in the Highland neighborhood pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery July 22.
Jacob Boykin, 39, immediately was sentenced to serve 18 years at hard labor by Caddo District Judge John D. Mosely Jr.
On August 8, 2022, Shreveport Police responded to a carjacking call in the 1000 block of Boulevard Street. The male acquaintance victim and his girlfriend gave Boykin a ride to a convenience store. After leaving the Circle K, the victim asked where Boykin wanted to be dropped off as it was getting late. When the victim stopped at a red light, Boykin reached from the backseat into the driver s seat and began stabbing the victim, who suffered multiple lacerations with heavy bleeding. Police specifically noted severe lacerations above the collarbone, to his back and to his throat. While the men physically struggled in the car, the driver’s girlfriend was able to flee, and the driver also escaped after being stabbed several times. Boykin then drove off in the victim’s car.
Boykin was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Victoria Washington. He was defended by Casey Simpson.
The case was docket No. 390693.
* The Caddo Parish Grand Jury returned five true bills in its session that ended July 18.
Four of the indictments concerned recent murders, while other charges involved weapons crimes and sexual assaults.
Shemika Draper Johnson, Michael Keith McKnight, Keelon Bernard Nelson and Lederrick Dewayne Gant all were indicted for second-degree murders, with McKnight facing two counts. Gant also was charged with illegal carrying of weapons and possession of a stolen firearm. Petyon Melsha was indicted on charges of first-degree rape and sexual battery.
Johnson, 40, faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with the April 7, 2024 knifing death of Zachery Johnson, 43, in the 9500 block of Rose Hollow Lane. The case is docket No. 403098.
McKnight, 27, faces two murder charges in connection with the April 19, 2024 slayings of his parents, Roderick and Kathleen McKnight, 64 and 62 respectively, at their home in Blanchard. The case is docket No. 401473.
Nelson, 44, is charged with murder in connection with the April 16, 2024 death of David Johnson, 43. The case is docket No. 401425.
Gant, 37 and from Shreveport, is charged in connection wit the April 9, 2024 slaying of his mother, Sharon Gant Gosey, 59. The gun charges in his case, docket No. 401265, stem from his use of a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol in the slaying.
Melsha, 30, of Keithville, was indicted on charges of first-degree rape and sexual battery and was incarcerated at Caddo Correctional Center April 10, 2024. No further information is available in connection with his case due to the nature of the charges involved.
Again, thanks to all for your hard work in bringing justice to victims. Let’s get this school year off to a great start . Please call the Caddo Parish School Board attendance department if you have any questions regarding what school your child should attend , what bus service is provided, and what time does that school begin its day. And again, please observe and slow down in school zones.
At your service,
James E. Stewart Sr.
Caddo Parish District Attorney