A young man accused of luring his step-uncle to his death on a New Orleans East street and another man accused of fatally shooting his cousin in a Central City bar pleaded guilty under separate agreements with New Orleans prosecutors on Monday and Tuesday.
Authorities said Dontrell Lafayette was 17 when he summoned his step-uncle, William Howard, to sell Lafayette some marijuana in the 8700 block of Gervais Street on July 7, 2015. Howard was cut down in a barrage of 24 shots and his cash, cellphone and gun were taken, according to police.
Lafayette, Larry Pierre and Lejeune “Lottie” Jackson pleaded guilty to manslaughter before Criminal District Court Judge Arthur Hunter on Monday.
Hunter sentenced Lafayette and Jackson to 15 years in prison and Pierre to 20 years under the terms of their deals with prosecutors. Pierre’s deal also settled a separate armed robbery case.
The killing might never have landed in court if Lafayette’s grandmother had not called police the next day to say that Lafayette might have information, according to police.
After first insisting that he didn’t know anything, under heavy questioning Lafayette said Howard “wasn’t supposed to die.” Lafayette acknowledged that he had called Howard over to the street but implied that the other two defendants were the shooters.
In an unsigned statement filed into the court record, the mother of Howard’s two children directed her anger at Lafayette.
“I still remember the night I got the phone call to tell me that William was dead. The only thing that went through my mind was how am I supposed to explain this to my kids,” she said. “Then to find out who his killer was crushed me even worse, because I have fed this dude and welcomed him into our home and treated him no less than family.”
Lafayette’s attorney said she was pleased to resolve the case with a sentence that would give him a chance to rehabilitate himself and one day regain his freedom.
“Dontrell was only 17 years old when he was arrested for this charge. He was facing a possible life sentence if convicted at trial,” said his lawyer, Sarah Chervinsky.
Pierre’s attorney, Bradley Phillips, said his client was relieved that the case was resolved after four years awaiting trial.
Another case of family-on-family violence also ended with a plea deal on Tuesday.
Michael Young pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a 27-year sentence on Tuesday. (OPSO)
Michael J. Young, a 42-year-old rapper, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a 27-year sentence in the shooting of his cousin Greg Young inside Verret’s Lounge in the 1700 block of Washington Avenue on Jan. 31, 2016.
Police said Michael Young, whose stage name is Mike Dough, shot his cousin in front of witnesses inside the bar.
Greg Young, a 42-year-old father of three, had just gotten off the phone after wishing his mother a happy birthday when he was shot in the head. He died four days later.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Judge Darryl Derbigny sentenced Michael Young to 20 years imprisonment on the manslaughter charge, to be followed by seven years on an obstruction of justice charge.
Prosecutors said Greg Young’s wife approved the plea deal.
Officials didn't publicly indicate a motive for either killing.
