Defendant Donald Reaux was found guilty as charged of Second Degree Murder, Obstruction of Justice, and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice on charges stemming from his recruiting a 15-year-old and 19-year-old to commit the 2018 shooting

NEW ORLEANS – Today, District Attorney Jason Williams, joined by New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Superintendent Michelle Woodfork, First Assistant Ned McGowan, Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Liz Strauss, and the mother and family of Theodore “Young Greatness” Jones, announced the conviction of defendant Donald Reaux for the murder of Mr. Jones in the 2900 block of Elysian Fields Avenue. Led by DA Williams, the State presented Real Time Camera Center, License Plate Reader, Waffle House security footage, “Ring” doorbell camera footage and social media evidence to show that although this defendant fired no guns that night, he was, in fact, responsible for recruiting and orchestrating this crime. At 11:00 pm on Thursday night, a jury came back with a unanimous verdict of guilty as charged on all counts.

“Young Greatness was a talented artist poised to make significant impact not only in New Orleans, but across the world. Unfortunately, due to senseless violence, his life and talent was stripped away from us. This case is emblematic of a crisis that is plaguing our streets. Adults using this city’s children to commit crimes for them. This is one of the first critical points that Chief Woodfork and I have been focusing on in our strategy meetings. The Chief and I are coordinating efforts like never before to target these adults who are preying on young people to commit the worst, most horrendous acts,” said District Attorney Jason Williams. “I am grateful for the care and attention of our Victim/Witness Advocate Vickie Landry, who has worked closely with the Jones family throughout this difficult process. Also, I am grateful for the partnership of Chief Woodfork and the NOPD detectives who diligently and thoroughly worked on the front end and back end of this case, the arrest and the trial; they provided our office with the critical evidence needed to secure this conviction. Together, we will fight back this current crime surge by adding new tools and implementing non-traditional strategies.”

The trial took place in Section H of Criminal District Court; Judge Camille Buras presided. The sentencing date is set for February 8, 2023. The defendant faces a mandatory life sentence.

To learn more, please visit orleansda.com.

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