U.S. Supreme Court Denies Defense’s Cert Petition Affirming District Attorney’s Office’s Position In Case Involving Death Of Officer Holloway

NEW ORLEANS – This week, the United States Supreme Court denied the cert petition of Travis Boys’s defense counsel affirming the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office’s (OPDA) position in the case involving the death of New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Officer Daryle Holloway. The cert petition accused OPDA of unjustly striking African American jurors during voir dire as well as discrimination throughout the prosecutorial process.

“In 2015, NOPD Officer Daryle Holloway lost his life in the line of duty and in service to his city. Our hearts and prayers will forever be with his family, friends and colleagues at the New Orleans Police Department. We remember always the life and legacy of Officer Daryle Holloway,” said District Attorney Williams. “The U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of the cert petition affirms our view that the case was fairly and appropriately presented. Discrimination in the selection of a jury is abhorrent. As with any case, the DA’s Office is committed to a prosecutorial process that is fair and integrous. Review of the process revealed that the conviction imposed by the diverse jury of citizens of New Orleans was a fair and just verdict. I am grateful for the continued hard work of our Chief of Appeals Ben Cohen and ADA David LeBlanc to ensure the integrity of this conviction is upheld.”

Prior to this appeal, Boys’s defense team submitted a cert petition to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal in 2021 with the same allegation of OPDA unjustly striking African American jurors during voir dire as well as discriminating throughout the prosecutorial process. In that matter, OPDA successfully defended the conviction of Boys for First Degree Murder and a life in prison sentence.

In June 2015, Boys murdered NOPD Officer Daryle Holloway as Holloway was transferring Boys from the 5th District NOPD station to the Orleans Justice Center. In 2018, Boys was found guilty by a unanimous jury of First Degree Murder; Judge Karen Herman sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Chief of Appeals Ben Cohen said, “Restoring faith in the legal system, ensuring that full citizenship for all jurors, recognizing and honoring the pain endured by victims of crime – especially those most vulnerable and law enforcement officers who give their lives to make our city better – is the reason I came to the office. I’m glad to move one small step forward in the process today.”

The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office will continue to vigorously seek justice in this case as we do for all.

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