Daily Archives: June 20, 2012

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -

In a stunning last day of trial, Leandre Bell took the stand in his own defense.

A move against the wishes of his Attorney, Bell told the jury that every witness that the state called to testify against him lied to them. He even said he lied to Police. “I lied when I said I shot him (Christopher Domangue).” Bell said from the stand, “Farrington did it.” Farrington Joshua is Bell’s cousin who testified against him on Wednesday.

Christopher Domangue

The jury deliberated just two hours before finding Bell guilty on all charges. One of the jurors left the District Court Judge Tony Marabella’s court room in tears, openly sobbing after the verdict was read. Bell did not react to the announcement.

Leandre Bell takes the stand

Bell testified Farrenton Joshua, the prosecution’s star witness, shot Domingue on Roosevelt Street in December 2010.

He added he was passed out when Joshua physically carried him to his car and drove him to a party while he was asleep.

He told jurors the reason he confessed is because the victim was LeDuff’s brother-in-law and police told him the chief would let him off if he confessed.

On cross examination from lead prosecutor Adam Haney, Bell said he confessed to two murders and an armed robbery because he thought the police would let him go.

He admitted he was not sure how they were going to let him go, but he thought they would. He also said he no longer trusts the police department because they didn’t let him go.

man-accused-of-killing-former-chiefs-relative-takes-the-stand

cousin-of-accused-murderer-testifies

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -

The cousin of the man accused of killing former Baton Rouge Police Chief Jeff LeDuff’s brother-in-law took the stand Wednesday.

Leandre Bell’s own cousin Farrenton Joshua told the jury how he witnessed Bell shoot Ericka Turner after he took her purse. He also described hearing theshots that killed Christopher Domingue.

“Did you shoot Christopher Domingue?” asked prosecutor Adam Haney.

“No, he did,” replied Joshua he pointed to Bell.

Both men are also accused of shooting Erika Turner.

Farrenton Josha (Source: EBRSO)Leandre Bell

http://theadvocate.com/home/3139364-125/trial-begins-in-2010-killings

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) – A 19-year-old woman broke down in tears as she testified Wednesday that four suspects took turns sexually assaulting her during a home invasion at a West Side home.

She testified for nearly a half-hour in a hearing for the suspects — about as long as she said the attack lasted.

“I’m saying no and crying,” the woman testified, ”and then one of ‘em cocks a gun to my head and puts the blanket over my face.”

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Four suspects – James Hodges, 19, Dorian Jones and Rederick Melton, both 20, and Brandon Towns, 25 – are each charged with three counts of sexual assault, along with robbery charges and home invasion. They were in court on Wednesday to determine whether they will face trial, and all were bound over on all the charges.

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http://www.usatoday.com/sports/story/2012-06-20/

ALEXANDRIA, La. – Alexandria police are on the lookout for two men who are suspected of wrecking a car.

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, officers say they were called to the 2400 block of Houston Street in reference to an accident.

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By the time police showed up, officers say that the driver and passenger had already ran from the accident scene.

Officials also say the SUV was reportedly taken from a residence without authorized use.

http://www.kalb.com/story/18840368/