Three men from New Orleans have been convicted for their roles in a double homicide that occurred in 2017 outside Edna Karr High School. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson announced that Terran Williams, Tyrone Bovia, and Javonta Doleman were found guilty after a two-week jury trial for multiple charges, including RICO conspiracy and Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering (VCAR) murder.
The convicted individuals were associated with the Byrd Gang, a group linked to drug distribution and violent crimes. They were accused of killing Lawrence Williams IV and Wynston Jackson, members of a rival group known as the Ghost Gang, after a confrontation at a basketball game.
Additionally, Bovia was found guilty of another shooting incident in May 2017 at the Bernmas Apartments, targeting a Ghost Gang member. Evidence presented during the trial highlighted a series of retaliatory shootings between the two gangs, often driven by social media and rap music.
Both the New Orleans Police Department and the FBI's New Orleans Gang Task Force played key roles in investigating the case. "The community deserves to live in neighborhoods free of gun violence and threats," Simpson noted. Prosecutors Elizabeth Privitera, David Haller, and Sarah Dawkins led the legal proceedings.
The case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, aimed at reducing violent crime and enhancing community safety. Sentencing is scheduled for July 30, 2025, where all three defendants face a mandatory life sentence.