DA Press Releases

Raydell Walker, 18, and Christopher Douglas, 17, both pled guilty as charged to one count of armed robbery this week, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. On July 15, 2008, Walker and Douglas carjacked a male victim and stole his wallet at gunpoint. The incident took place at approximately 9:30 pm at the corner of Elysian Fields and North Galvez.

This week, the Orleans Parish District Attorney's disposed of several felony cases through convictions, including three homicides, an armed robbery and a contractor fraud case. Victim and/or witness testimony were critical to the successful prosecution of all these cases and indicate positive improvements in the execution of justice in New Orleans, said Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

This evening, an Orleans Parish jury found co-defendants Marion J. Taylor and Justin F. Collins guilty as charged of second degree murder for last year's shooting death of twenty-seven year old Jerome Sparkman. 

An Orleans Parish Grand Jury returned three indictments this week, including an indictment for a 2002 homicide, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced today.

Aaron R. Mercadel, 53, is in Orleans Parish Prison awaiting a rule-to-show cause hearing on five counts of misapplication of contractor pay following an investigation and arrest by district attorney investigators, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

An Orleans Parish Grand Jury returned indictments in three homicides that occurred between January 2009 and May 2009 on yesterday, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

Timothy Washington (A.K.A. Derrick Dorsey), 40, was convicted of two counts of attempted second degree murder this week for shooting a father and his son in an Algiers neighborhood on the morning of May 23, 2008, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

Wednesday, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced the grand jury indictment of Anthony Bonds, male, 22.

Thursday, an Orleans Parish Grand Jury indicted Jackie Green, male, 53 with two counts of second degree murder for an incident that occurred on April 25, 2009 at 10:40pm on N. Cavelier Drive.

An Orleans Parish Grand Jury today indicted Kentrell Hickerson, male, 29, Christin Grady, female, 23, and Chris L. McCann, male, 35, with charges surrounding the murder of Alvin Wilson, which occurred on June 29, 2008 at First and Prieur Streets, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. today asked members of the New Orleans City Council to consider passing a city ordinance, which would allow for the prosecution of simple possession of marijuana cases to take place in municipal court rather than Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.

Two felony trials, one judge and one jury, that started and ended yesterday resulted in convictions.

  This evening, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. and more than 100 employees of the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office will attend various Night Out Against Crime activities throughout the city to promote public safety and the office's commitment to fighting crime.

Today, an Orleans Parish Grand jury returned five indictments for violent crimes that took place between March 2007 and April 2009, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr., today, announced the grand jury indictments of Burton Bronson, 21, Sean Bailey, 20, and Benjamin Christoval, 39.

Today, an Orleans Parish Special Grand Jury indicted Paul Lewakowski, 46, with five (5) counts of felony theft and five (5) counts of misapplication of contractor payments in excess of $10,000.

On Thursday, an Orleans Parish Grand Jury returned four indictments for violent crimes that occurred between July 2008 and June 2009, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

Audy Materre, 36, was sentenced to 75 years in prison as a repeat offender today for his role in the June 2007 shooting death of Albert Phillips, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced this week that his office has received $150,000 in New Orleans City Council approved funds to hire investigators for an internal cold case initiative.

Today, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced the grand jury indictments of Jose Delores Ramirez, 28, and Jose Maldonado, 37.    

Georgia resident and contractor Terry M. Ferguson, 43, pled guilty as charged to 16 counts of theft above $500 and one count of misappropriation of contractor pay in New Orleans criminal court today.

Andy Ervin, 43, was sentenced to 40 years in prison today after pleading guilty to manslaughter for the stabbing death of James David Sexton.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced today that the the $1 million bond that was previously set and posted for Telly Hankton, 33, has been revoked.

Today, the Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeal affirmed the attempted first degree murder conviction of Eddie Harrison, III and his subsequent sentencing of 100 years in prison at hard labor for the 2006 shooting attack on NOPD Officer Andre Gonzales.

This summer, thirty students from Louisiana law schools and out-of-state undergraduate institutions are servicing the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office (OPDAO) as volunteer interns.

Today, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced the grand jury indictment of Jamal Fletcher, 16. 

Kashie Fernandez, 29, was sentenced to 40 years in prison today for simple robbery and second degree kidnapping for an incident that occurred in New Orleans East in May 2008.

Twenty-four year old Delloyd Rayfield was sentenced to 49 ½ years in prison this week for attempted first degree murder of a victim, which occurrd inside of the Iberville Housing Development.

Today, an Orleans Parish Grand Jury indicted Eddie Kelly, 19 and Terrance Smith, 19, for armed robbery and first degree murder of Raul Cruz Morales-Roblero, which occurred on April 6, 2009 at S. Liberty and Felicity Streets.

Today, an Orleans Parish grand jury returned indictments for four incidents that took place earlier this year as well as an aggravated rape, which occurred in 1998, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

Jessie P. Williams, 32, was convicted of possession of cocaine today and faces 20 years to life imprisonment as a multiple offender.

Corey Morris, 23, faces 12 years in prison for robbing a victim at gun point last August.

Today, an Orleans Parish Grand Jury indicted Shateek Howard, 16, and Terrence Lewis, 16, for attempted second degree murder for an incident that occurred on August 22, 2008 in the 1600 block of Columbus Street, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

 On Thursday, May 28, 2009, an Orleans Parish Grand Jury indicted Dale Pigford, 50, for second degree murder of Gary Sing, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

On Thursday, May 28, 2009, an Orleans Parish Grand Jury indicted Dale Pigford, 50, for second degree murder of Gary Sing.

 Samuel Scott, 26, pled guilty to manslaughter this week, admitting his responsibility in the August 2004 shooting death of Terry Foucha, which occurred in the 1500 block of North Robertson Street.

Barry A. Ferguson, 45, was sentenced to life imprisonment without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence for the first degree murder of his 16-year-old daughter.

Twenty-one year old Kia J. Stewart was sentenced to life in prison today for the second degree murder of Bryant Craig, Jr.

Orleans Parish District Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. today announced the grand jury indictment of Christopher Weathersby.

On Thursday, an Orleans Parish Grand jury indicted Anthony Morgan, Kenneth Johnson, and Clarence Jackson, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

Today, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced the grand jury indictments of Reggie Douglas, 15, and Drey Lewis, 15. Both were charged with second degree murder of Wendy Byrne.

The Office of District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. will launch the New Orleans celebrations of the 25th Annual recognition of the Victims of Violent Crime Act, with an ecumenical, interfaith tribute to victims of crime on Saturday, April 25, 2009, starting at 10:00 AM at the Jackson Avenue Evangelical Congregation located at 2221 Chippewa Street (corner of Jackson Ave) in New Orleans.

Today, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced the grand jury indictment of Danny Platt.

Yesterday, an Orleans Parish grand jury indicted Floyd Torry, 19, and Joshua Gilmore, 19, with aggravated battery.

Today, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced the grand jury indictments of Tony Decloues, 54, Willie Beasley, 20, and Shateek Howard, 16.

Today, Orleans Parish prosecutors secured convictions in four violent crime cases, one of which occurred as recent as November 2008.

Today, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced the grand jury indictment of 20-year-old Narkee Hunter.

April 26th marks the beginning of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time to focus on victims of crime and celebrate our nation’s progress in serving them. This year’s theme, “25 years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act,” honors a landmark national commitment to victims of crime.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro today announced the grand jury indictment of Michael Singreen, 28.

A twelve-member jury found brothers Terry McElveen and Thatcher McElveen guilty as charged for the second degree murder of Jonathan Lorino.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced today that three men were sentenced to the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to drug charges.

  Christopher Nabonne, 18, was sentenced to 25 years at hard labor as a repeat offender today for a shooting and aggravated assault.

Christopher Nabonne, 18, was sentenced to 25 years at hard labor as a repeat offender today for a shooting and aggravated assault that took place outside of Chris Owens’ night club on Bourbon Street, announces Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced that 19-year-old Roy Joyner was indicted this week for the second-degree murder

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced that Gregory Truvia was sentenced to life in prison this afternoon for the second-degree murder of his mother, 69-year-old Artherine Williams.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. today announced the grand jury indictment of Victor Ivan Perez Gonzales (a.k.a. Victor Gonzales).

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced today that New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin has signed the contract for construction to begin at the DA’s permanent facility at 619 S. White Street and that a record of the signed agreement has been filed with the City accordingly.

District Attorney Leon A. Cannizaro, Jr. announced today the appointment of Graymond F. Martin, First Assistant District Attorney.

Tackling internal and systemic challenges with proactive techniques and solutions, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. has laid the ground work for re-defining the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office and the local criminal justice system during his first term in office.

Today, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. announced the grand jury indictment of 23-year old Ashton Preston.

Moments before jury selection was set to begin in his second degree murder trial today, Erran Fleming, 30, pled guilty to manslaughter for the 1998 shooting death of Kevin Woolridge and was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison, announced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr.

Moments before jury selection was set to begin in his first degree murder trial today, Erran Fleming, 30, pled guilty.