Yesterday, after only 15 minutes of deliberating, a St. Landry Parish jury found a Eunice man Leonard Miller, 36, guilty of 2nd degree murder for the killing of Clarence Mitchell also from Eunice.
Miller who was charged in April of 2022 with murdering Mitchell was also convicted today of Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Evidence at trial revealed Miller ambushed the victim with a shotgun while the victim was driving a vehicle.
“In the wake of recent shootings, this speedy verdict sends a message that our community and our office will not tolerate violent crimes committed in St. Landry Parish” District Attorney Chad Pitre said.
Assistant District Attorneys, Laura Signorelli and Katie Ryan, prosecuted the case for the State. Prosecutors commended the Sheriffs Office for its investigation and for facilitating the viewing of the actual crime scene by the jury and court staff.
The case was brought to trial in less than a year thanks to the hard work of DA Investigator Rick Leger and Felony Legal Assistant Liz St. Romain.
Miller will be sentenced on May 9, 2023 before District Judge Alonzo Harris. 2nd Degree Murder carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
