A Jefferson Parish jury convicted 60-year-old Dennis Sheppard of using a plastic zip tie to strangle his girlfriend to death, prosecutors announced Monday.
It took the jury 36 minutes to find Sheppard guilty of second degree murder in the 2020 death of 39-year-old Jyra Holmes.
Prosecutors say Sheppard killed Holmes during a domestic dispute outside her residence in the 1500 block of Chelsea Rd. in Harvey on November 2, 2020. Witnesses said Sheppard wrapped the zip tie around Holmes' neck and shoved her to the ground.
"She wanted me dead. Now she's dead," said Sheppard, according to multiple witnesses.
Sheppard's defense argued that he should not have been charged with second degree murder, and claimed the killing was not premeditated, but made in the heat of passion.The public defender unsuccessfully argued for a manslaughter conviction.
Second-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Judge June Berry Darensbourg set a sentencing date of October 30.
