More Charges in Killings of Louisiana Cops
Anti Government gang’s leader was tied to Posse Comitatus and terroristic threats to law enforcement in other states.
Smith and Joekel were among seven people charged last Friday in connection with the parking lot shooting.
St. John Parish District Attorney Thomas Dailey said in a statement on Thursday that his office would present the new charges against Smith and Joekel to the grand jury. The next regularly scheduled session of the grand jury is Sept. 4.
The charge of murdering a police officer in the performance of duty automatically carries the death penalty under Louisiana law, according to New Orleans criminal defense lawyer Lindsay Larson. Capital cases must go before a grand jury.
The seven people suspected of being involved in the shootings are in custody at the St. Charles Parish Correctional Center. They include Terry Smith, 44, Derrick Smith, 22, Chanel Skains, 37, Brittney Keith, 23, and Teniecha Bright, 21, who face charges as principals or accessories to murder or attempted murder.
Authorities said Joekel was wanted in Kansas and Nebraska in connection with threats against law enforcement officers.