Month: October 2017

Algiers man convicted of Bucktown murder

An Algiers man was convicted as charged Thursday night (Oct. 12), of killing a Metairie man while trying to rob him in Bucktown last year.

Bobby James, 25, of Algiers, is guilty of second-degree murder and attempted armed robbery. James was convicted of fatally shooting Dwayne Baptiste, 27, in the back while trying to rob him at an apartment building at West Esplanade Avenue and Lake Avenue about 6 p.m., on May 3, 2016. Baptiste died three days later at a hospital.

While Baptiste was known to carry a large quantity of cash on that day, no one saw who stole the money from the victim, whether it was James or bystanders who pilfered the roll of cash from the mortally wounded man’s pockets. Therefore, James was charged with attempted armed robbery.

The Jefferson Parish jury also heard testimony about James being an accused gunman in an Algiers home invasion. The victim, Cory Bush, 35, was fatally shot on Dec. 10, 2012, as he unknowingly entered his Brunswick Court home while the crime was underway. James awaits trial in New Orleans Criminal District Court.

The jury deliberated just over two hours before announcing its verdict about 10 p.m. James faces life in prison with no chance of probation, parole or suspension of sentence for the murder.

Judge Stephen Enright of the 24th Judicial District Court is scheduled to sentence James on Nov. 2.

Assistant District Attorneys Doug Freese and Brittany Beckner prosecuted the case.

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Convicted child molester sentenced to 60 years in prison

A Mississippi man who was convicted last week of molesting two juvenile girls in Jefferson Parish was sentenced Thursday (Oct. 12) to 60 years in prison.

Billy Joe Howard, 33, of Kiln, was convicted by a jury on Oct. 6 of sexual battery of a juvenile under age 13 and indecent behavior with a juvenile under age 13. The crimes occurred within a 45-day period in July and August 2015.

Howard met the victims, who were ages 11 and 7 when they were molested, through their mothers. He met the women through a dating website. Neither woman was aware of the other until after Howard was arrested. While free on bond in the Jefferson Parish cases, Howard was booked in Harrison County, Miss., accused of molesting a 16-year-old girl.

After rejecting a defense-motion for a new trial and hearing impact testimony from one of the victims and the mother of the other victim, Judge Henry Sullivan of the 24th Judicial District Court sentenced Howard to 40 years for the sexual battery and 20 years for the indecent behavior.

Judge Sullivan ordered the sentences to be run consecutively, given that there were two separate victims and crimes.

Howard will not be eligible for probation, parole or suspension of sentence. He also will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life after completing his prison sentence.

Assistant District Attorneys Lindsay Truhe and Zachary Popovich prosecuted the case.

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Mississippi man convicted of molesting Jefferson Parish girls

A Mississippi man was found guilty Thursday night (Oct. 5) of molesting two Jefferson Parish girls during a 45-day period in 2015.

Billy Joe Howard, 33, of Kiln, was convicted as charged of sexual battery of a juvenile under age 13 and indecent behavior with a juvenile under age 13.

The victims were ages 11 and 7 when the abuse occurred. Howard encountered the children after meeting their mothers through a dating website, in one case only a week before he molested the child, according to evidence presented to the jury.

He committed the sexual battery of the 11-year-old girl in July 2015, and he committed indecent behavior the following month with the 7-year-old girl.

The victims’ mothers were notified, leading to criminal investigations by the Westwego Police Department and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Howard gained his release from custody after posting bond. While awaiting trial, he was accused of molesting a 16-year-old girl in Hancock County, Miss., according to evidence presented during the trial.

The Jefferson Parish jury deliberated just over an hour before returning with its unanimous verdicts at 7:45 p.m. Judge Henry Sullivan of the 24th Judicial District Court is scheduled to sentence Howard on Thursday (Oct. 12).

Assistant District Attorneys Lindsay Truhe and Zachary Popovich prosecuted the case.

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