Smith brothers sentenced for 2023 slaying

Shreveport siblings convicted earlier this month for killing a local man in 2023 were sentenced to mandatory life terms in prison Thursday, February 26, 2026, in Caddo District Court.

Roderick Dewayne Smith Jr., 21, and Ramarion Jarick Smith, 20, both were sentenced by District Judge Chris Victory. Roderick Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence for the second-degree murder of Jamani Dervon Johnson Jr., 21. Mr. Johnson was shot six times in the back outside his dwelling at the Jolie Apartments in the 1000 block of Quail Creek Road June 19, 2023. 

Ramarion Smith also was sentenced to life imprisonment without benefit of probation or suspension to the charge of second-degree murder; but since he was 17 years old at the time of the murder, he will be eligible at some point for parole.

The Smiths were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys William Edwards and Victoria Washington. Roderick Smith Jr. was defended by Michael Enright. Ramarion Smith was defended by Richard "T-Dale" Wolbert. 

The case was docket No. 404948.

-30-