A man charged with second degree murder of his brother, found incompetant to stand trial and placed in a mental institution, has disappeared. Jermaine Diggs left the facility he was housed at to go to a court ordered psychiatric appointment on Tulane Avenue June 26 and never returned.
In July 2006, Diggs was charged with the stabbing murder of his brother, Rayshawn Diggs at their residence in La Place
When Diggs disappeared New Orleans Police sent a release asking for the public's help in finding Diggs, however the release stated "Diggs was placed into the permanent care of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals after a medical diagnosis."
According to Angel Thompson with St. John The Baptist Parish Sheriff's office, their department learned of Diggs escape on Monday, 11 days after he disappeared. They consider Diggs dangerous and that he is wanted on an active warrant for simple escape. Diggs was last seen in the New Orleans area. However, he has past addresses in St. John and St. James parishes.
Diggs is described as a black male in his mid-30s, standing about 5’4” and weighing about 130 pounds with a bald head and brown eyes. Diggs was last seen wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information about Diggs whereabout is urged to contact Sixth District detectives at 504-658-6060, or Det. Lt. Brandon Barlow with the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (985) 359-8769.
