A Shreveporter who robbed a man of his rifle and then shot the victim in his neck, killing him, was found guilty of manslaughter and related crimes in Caddo District Court Wednesday March 12, 2025.
It took a seven-man, five-woman jury in District Judge Chris Victory’s court an hour to find SirElderick Hays, 25, guilty as charged of armed robbery and felon in possession of a weapon, and responsively guilty of manslaughter. Hays was convicted of simple robbery in 2017, a felony that prevents him from owning or possessing a firearm.
Judge Victory remanded Hays pending sentencing April 16, 2025, when he faces a total of 159 years in prison: up to 40 years for the manslaughter conviction, at least five and up to 20 years for the felon in possession of a weapon charge, and at least 10 years and up to 99 years for the armed robbery conviction.
On March 31, 2021, victim Xavier Griffin was showing a newly purchased rifle to several friends near Lakeside Garden Apartments. Hays joined them and Griffin fired a round from the rifle into the air. He started to head back to the apartment when Hays asked him for the rifle. Griffin, reluctant, said no, but Hays snatched the rifle from him. A struggle ensued, and Hays pulled out a handgun and fired a single round at Griffin. The round struck Griffin in the neck, and he succumbed to the wound at the scene. Hays fled with both weapons.
Witnesses were reluctant to assist police, though some cooperated. Both .223 and .40 caliber shell casings were recovered, as was surveillance footage showing Griffin and Hays and at least two other individuals walking through the complex. The video also showed Hays taking the rifle from Griffin, and the two struggling over the weapon. Hays was identified through crime stoppers and also in a lineup. He denied any knowledge of the crime.
Assistant District Attorneys Victoria Washington and Courtney Ray prosecuted Hays, who was defended by Michael Enright and Katie Miller.
The case was docket No. 382230.
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