A man accused of killing a Sunset police officer and a Sunset woman was in court Wednesday morning.
Harrison Lee Riley (35) appeared before Judge Jason Meche for his pre-trial hearing. Riley is accused of killing Sunset Police Officer, Henry Nelson and 41-year-old Shameka Johnson. Riley is also accused of stabbing three other women including his wife, Courtney Jolivette-Riley.
District Judge Jason Meche heard several motions related to the case. The hearing addressed a motion Riley’s attorney Christine Lehmann filed last month to preserve the crime scene for the defense. During the hearing, it was revealed that evidence was removed from the Nissan Altima that Riley allegedly drove into the Sunset Mini Mart. This was done after Lehmann filed a motion on August 28th to preserve the crime scene. The vehicle is sealed and still labeled as evidence.
A criminal investigator for the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kimberly Fontenot, said during her testimony Monday that St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz requested that she remove a purse, a set of house keys and a child’s backpack from the car. Fontenot said Riley’s wife, Courtney Jolivette Riley, asked to have her purse along with those other items retrieved from the vehicle. Jolivette-Riley also asked for her wallet, which was underneath a car seat in the vehicle. Meche granted permission for the wallet to be retrieved.
Assistant District Attorney Donald Richard filed a motion about the preservation of blood, urine and DNA samples. During a previous hearing, the court determined that no testing can be performed without a court order.
Richard argued the process would take too long if he needed permission before testing any evidence.
Lehmann filed a motion requesting that the grand jury proceedings be recorded. Meche said St. Landry Parish has never recorded the proceedings and that decision will be based on the district attorney’s discretion.
Riley is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, obstruction of justice and two counts of aggravated criminal damage to property after allegedly driving a stolen vehicle through the front of a store occupied by two people.
The hearing itself was pretty standard until, Harrison Riley asked the judge if he could speak to his own wife, but Judge Meche denied his request for security reasons.
Off camera, Riley’s wife told News Ten she, just like the rest of the family, is just trying to cope with a tragedy still fresh in the minds of all affected.
News Ten captured video of Harrison Riley exiting the courthouse as he is going back and forth with the victim’s sister, Grand Coteau Mayor, Shaterral Johnson.
Johnson released this statement, “I just want justice for my sister, Shameka, and my family. I also want to see justice for Officer Henry Nelson.”
Riley is facing 2 counts of first degree murder and 3 counts of attempted first degree murder among a list of other charges.
The next court date has not been scheduled yet.
