A Jefferson Parish jury on Friday (Feb. 2), returned a guilty verdict against Kendell Ellis, convicting him in the shooting death of a man during an armed robbery attempt on a Marrero street and of wounding of an 8-year-old girl who was playing outside her cousin’s home.
Ellis, 29, of Terrytown, was convicted as charged of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
Anderson “CJ” Massey, 29, was fatally shot while in the 1100 block of Dimarco Drive on Oct. 3, 2014. The child, an innocent bystander, survived a bullet wound to her back, according to evidence presented during the trial this week.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office built a case against Ellis around DNA and cellphone call history and cell tower transmission data.
Ellis faces a mandatory life sentence in prison. Judge Henry Sullivan of the 24th Judicial District Court is scheduled to sentence Ellis on Feb. 20.
Assistant District Attorneys Lynn Schiffman and Zachary Popovich prosecuted the case.