Trial of four defendants accused of carjacking and murdering 73-year-old Linda Frickey in New Orleans last year must happen before this year is over, the Louisiana Supreme court ruled today. Frickey was dragged alongside her vehicle during the March 2022 carjacking until her arm was ripped from her body and she was left in the street.
John Honore, 18, Lenyra Theophile, 17, Briniyah Baker, 16, and Mar’Qel Curtis, 16, are all charged as adults with second degree murder. Theophile was recently ruled competent to stand trial after undergoing months of treatment.
Their trial was initially set to begin earlier this year, but the judge delayed it almost a year when the defense asked for more time to go over DNA and fingerprint evidence.
The court ruled that the family's interest in closure, and the defendants' interest in receiving a speedy trial, must be considered.
