Lazavieyon Thomas guilty of domestic violence strangulation

A Shreveport man was found guilty Wednesday, March 18, 2026, of domestic violence crimes, including strangulation of a dating partner, battery of a dating partner with child endangerment and 15 counts of violating protective orders. 

The unanimous verdicts against Lazavieyon Rashad Thomas, 36, returned by the jury after an hour's deliberation, concluded a three-day trial before District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.

Evidence presented at trial established that on February 28, 2025, Mr. Thomas strangled an intimate partner during a custody exchange. The victim sustained visible injuries, including bruising to her neck and an arm, and hair was torn from her head during the assault, which occurred in the presence of a minor child.

Law enforcement responded to the scene, and emergency medical personnel were called due to the victim’s difficulty breathing. The victim later sought treatment at a local medical facility, reporting neck pain and difficulty swallowing, both consistent with strangulation injuries.

As part of its case, the state presented expert testimony in domestic violence and intimate partner violence to assist the jury in understanding the dynamics of abusive relationships, including patterns of power, control and victim behavior.

Prosecutors also introduced evidence of Mr. Thomas's prior abusive conduct toward former intimate partners over the period 2012-2015.

Despite the existence of a court-issued protective order prohibiting contact, the defendant repeatedly violated that order while incarcerated. Evidence introduced at trial showed that the defendant made multiple phone calls and sent numerous text messages to the victim, resulting in fifteen separate counts of violation of a protective order.

During the course of the case, the victim submitted five affidavits of non-prosecution and requested that the protective order be lifted. The Court denied that request and the protective order remained in place. The DA's office proceeded with prosecution despite those requests.

District Attorney James E. Stewart Sr. emphasized that this approach reflects a clear understanding of the realities of intimate partner violence.

"In cases involving domestic violence, it is not uncommon for survivors to later request that charges be dropped or protective orders lifted," he said. "Those requests often occur in the context of ongoing pressure, influence or control by the offender. Our responsibility is not only to listen, but to protect. We will continue to pursue these cases when the evidence supports it, in order to safeguard victims and the children who are often caught in the middle."

The prosecution of this case highlights the mission of the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit, which is specifically designed to address the unique challenges presented in domestic violence cases. These include victim reluctance or hesitation, recantation and affidavits of non-prosecution and ongoing manipulation or control by offenders.

The Special Victims Unit remains committed to ensuring that offenders are held accountable and that victims—and their children—are protected, even in circumstances where victims may feel unable to move forward.

"Every case matters," DA Stewart said. "Every victim matters. And every act of violence will be taken seriously."

Mr. Thomas is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on April 21, 2026. He faces up to three years in prison at hard labor for battery of a dating partner with strangulation, up to three years at hard labor for battery of a dating partner with child endangerment and up to six months incarceration on each count of violation of a protective order. Prosecutors plan to seek consecutive sentences.

Mr. Thomas was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Britney A. Green and Christopher Bowman of the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit. Mr. Thomas represented himself at trial.

The case was docket No. 405583.

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