Following a jury's conviction of John Honore in the carjacking and murder of 73-year-old Linda Frickey, New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams had a message for those thinking of committing acts of violence in the city.
"The conviction of Honore and his accomplices serves as a reminder that violent acts in the city of New Orleans will not go unpunished," said Williams during a news conference Tuesday afternoon. "Human beings who hurt human beings in this city will be held to account."
Williams also addressed his decision to charge Honore, who was 17 at the time the crime was committed, as an adult and have him serve mandatory life without parole for the murder conviction.
"The juvenile system is set up in a way that a person would be done with any sentence at the age of 21," said Williams. "That wouldn't be accountability."
Williams said no one wants to see a young person spend significant years in prison, but Honore made a series of choices that left society with little choice as to what do in order to punish him.
"Every time Mrs. Linda was kicked, that was a choice. Every time she was punched, that was a choice. Every time she was maced, that was a choice. Every yard he drove with her attached to that seat belt of the two football fields that he drove was a choice, and choices have consequences," said Williams.
