A St. Tammany Parish jury this week found 23-year-old Alvin Laurant Jr. of Covington guilty of second degree murder.
"The murder charge resulted from the 2022 Fentanyl overdose death of a 15-year-old Covington girl," Assistant District Attorney Bruce Dearing said in a news release.
Jurors deliberated just 35 minutes before the unanimous guilty ruling.
"The case was previously tried in February of this year. The first trial ended in a hung jury."
One juror thought Laurant was not guilty then. This time all 12 agreed on a guilty verdict.
"According to trial testimony, during the evening hours of July 12, 2022, sheriff’s deputies and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) were dispatched to Felisia Grantham’s Bush residence in response to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive female at the home. Upon arrival, responding personnel observed a 15-year-old girl lying on her back on a bedroom floor, exhibiting no signs of life."
The teen died. Cops found drugs in the home.
"Suspecting the girl’s death may have resulted from foul play, a criminal investigation was initiated," Dearing said.
Detectives recovered pills that contained Fentanyl.
"An autopsy was performed on the victim and the toxicology results indicated the victim’s body contained 13 times the amount of Fentanyl needed to kill a human."
Prosecutors told the jury that Grantham’s phone contained text messages with Laurant, a known drug dealer from Covington.
"During that conversation, arrangements were made for Laurant to supply the Fentanyl that ultimately killed the victim... Grantham eventually admitted her involvement in obtaining the Fentanyl."
Jurors last year convicted her of second degree murder. She is now serving life in prison.
Laurant will also be formally sent to prison for life at his sentencing next month.
