Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
More than four years after a melee on a street in Treme ended with a fatal shooting caught on video, an Orleans Parish jury has acquitted the man charged in the case.
Jurors acquitted Carlsel Alexander, 26, who faced potential life imprisonment on a second-degree murder charge. Alexander was accused of killing Troy Wilson Jr. during a fight among several people in the 700 block of N. Broad Street early Feb. 18, 2018.
First set for trial in 2020 two months before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Alexander’s trial was repeatedly delayed in the years since.
At the time of the shooting, Alexander had been on probation for a second-degree battery conviction in West Baton Rouge Parish.
Defense attorney John Fuller said that he argued Alexander shot in defense of himself and an acquaintance during the fight, which was caught on video.
In addition to murder, Alexander was charged with obstruction of justice and possession of a weapon by a felon. Fuller said he argued that Alexander had only temporarily armed himself with a weapon for self-defense. The jury acquitted Alexander of all charges.
“We’re thankful to the jury for thoughtful consideration of the evidence,” said Fuller. “I'm happy to have my client reunited with his family, while still lamenting the loss to the Wilson family of Troy Wilson.”
Alexander had been in custody since his arrest in Houston in March 2018. He was freed after the jury returned its verdict, Fuller said.
District Attorney Jason Williams' office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
https://www.nola.com/news/courts/article_e52aaebe-0a07-11ed-ad2f-1b9f0fd1f93d.html