A jury has found a Welsh man guilty in the shooting death of Nehemiah Gray, Jeff Davis Parish District Attorney Michael Cassidy said.
Gray, 25, was shot to death in January 2018 outside a home in Welsh. Three men were arrested in connection with the slaying: Trevonte Talbert, 23, Terrell Williams, 26, of Franklin, and Nicholas Anderson, 26, of Lafayette.
Talbert’s trial was this week; he was found guilty of second-degree murder. His sentencing has been set for April, Cassidy said. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.
Williams pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice on the second day of trial, and was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with six years suspended and credit for time served, Cassidy said.
Anderson’s case is still pending, but he testified against Talbert at the trial, and “we’re going to give him every consideration” for that, Cassidy said.
The evidence shows that both Williams and Talbert shot Gray, but the evidence also shows that Talbert shot Gray in the head after he fell, Cassidy said.
The motive wasn’t discussed at trial, but both Talbert and Gray had past narcotic violations, Cassidy said. The men did know each other, he said.
Cassidy said he wanted to recognize Assistant District Attorney Kevin Millican and the Welsh Police department “for doing an outstanding job in putting this case together and obtaining a conviction.”
“I also want to send my condolences to the family of the victim, and to the defendant,” Cassidy said. “It is tragic to lose two young men for life, for both families.”
