DA’s Office Secures Conviction for Manslaughter, Obstruction of Justice and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle in 2017 Mid-City New Orleans Shooting

NEW ORLEANS – The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (OPDA) secured the conviction via guilty plea of Jeremy Leonard stemming from a 2017 shooting incident in Mid-City New Orleans. Led by Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) Corbin Bates and Corey Tassin, defendant Leonard plead guilty as charged to Manslaughter, Obstruction of Justice and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

“This DA’s Office is undeterred in our commitment to fight back against violent crime in our City, and the reckless nature of this defendant’s actions undoubtedly demanded our best efforts to get justice for this victim and family,” said District Attorney Jason Williams. “Video camera evidence once again proved to be a force multiplier to aid the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of a violent criminal. I am grateful for ADAs Bates and Tassin’s detailed preparation and hard work to secure this conviction. The people of New Orleans can rest assured that the prosecutors in our office will continue to do everything in their power to tackle the senseless violence plaguing our community.”

According to NOPD reports, on April 8, 2017, the victim was walking in the 600 block of South Scott Street when he was gunned down by three individuals including the defendant, Jeremy Leonard, who had opened fire and struck the victim multiple times. Video camera footage in the area managed to catch the shooting and the defendant was arrested.

The defendant faces up to 35 years in prison.