Trial delayed for suspects accused in the death of Hope Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - A trial for the suspects accused of murder in the death of Hope Alexandria was set to begin on Nov. 3, but according to Rapides District Attorney Phillip Terrell, there were some legal issues with the defense attorneys that were assigned to the defendants.

Now, the trial is set to begin on March 16, 2026.

On September 14, 2024, 12-year-old Hope died following a shooting in the 2900 block of Cypress Street in Alexandria. Hope’s father, according to Terrell, was shot in the leg and had to have it amputated.

“It’s a terrible crime, and the Alexandria police did a tremendous job investigating it, and we are preparing to take it to trial,” Terrell said.

Three suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting: Latraykus May, DeRoyce May II and Kayla Wooten. All three are charged with attempted murder and second-degree murder.

A second-degree murder conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. An attempted murder conviction carries a 50-year maximum prison sentence.

“We had the situation at SuperDaqx. We’ve had the situation where the young men shot at each other in Cheneyville,” Terrell said. “When you take the law into your own hands like this, and those situations that I’m talking about, sooner or later, an innocent bystander, a child, or a grandma sitting on the porch, or somebody, is going to catch a bullet, and that’s unacceptable.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant DA Kelvin Sanders. As of now, defense attorneys Katharine Geary, Leo “Trey” Flynn III and James Word II are representing the suspects. District Judge Chris Hazel is presiding over the case.

Related:

• 12-year-old girl dies in Cypress Street homicide
• One arrested, two wanted in connection to homicide of 12-year-old girl on Cypress Street
• Third suspect arrested in Cypress Street homicide

Click here to report a typo. Please provide the title of the article in your email.