The very first day of the new year, newly sworn in Mayor Bobby Amacker was awakened by town employees and informed that there was a visible leak in the town’s water tower. An investigation revealed that the leak was caused by a bullet. No arrests were ever made.
A mistrial was declared in a second degree murder trial in the parish due to an inability to seat a jury after the court ordered three sets of jury venires and over 360 residents names were selected. The trial of Quinesha Sanders was moved to Madison Parish two months later. Sanders opted for a trial by Judge Angela Claxton as opposed to a trial by a jury. Sanders was found guilty and ordered to serve a mandatory life sentence in prison for the killing of Cheryl Lewis.
Police Chief Leroy Threats reported that there were two shootings in one weekend in March after there were two parties with large crowds. No one sustained any life threatening injuries from the shootings.
Sir James Peeler was shot and killed while walking down Third Street with friends at about 5 pm. Authorities have arrested two of the defendants in the case and the other defendant is currently at large but every effort is being made to apprehend him, according to Sheriff Wydette Wiliams. Sabien McNeil and Jamorion Steward were arrested by authorities, but Majayeon Stewart had been on the loose.
In April, a local couple died as a result of a murder/ suicide. The East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office said that Brandon Thompson shot and killed his wife Olivia Nash-Thompson in their home and then drove into the water over the levee, drowning himself.
The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office announced that a fire in January 2002 that burned several buildings on Lake Street was the result of arson. They said that the case was still under investigation.
On July 2, 17-yearold LeJavontae Martin was shot and killed on the corner of Third and Charles Jones Blvd. This homicide was the second on that street within a three month period. The Louisiana State Police later arrested Kedrick Green, Markell Norris, and Omarion Wingate for the murder. All three 18-year-old men were later indicted by a grand jury.
Sheriff Wydette Williams announced that his department would start arresting the parents or guardians of juveniles who have been arrested and have been charged with crimes and been released to the custody of their parents. The sheriff said there are not enough spaces in juvenile facilities to house the number of juvenile offenders in the state and that is why judges are forced to release juveniles who have been arrested for nonviolent offenses.
