A Shreveport man who fired shots at a couple after a party, killing one man and wounding his female partner, was convicted of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in Caddo District Court.
Michael Deon Riley, 39, was found guilty as-charged on all counts by the three-woman, nine-man jury in District Judge Michael Pitman’s court Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
On April 2, 2021, Daron Hardin and Jacqueline Lee went to a house party at Riley’s cousin’s home. While at the party, Hardin got into an argument with the cousin over a car repair and Riley intervened. To de-escalate the conflict, Ms. Lee grabbed Hardin and they left to walk down Singletary Street. While they walked, Riley drove by and fired multiple rounds, killing Hardin and seriously wounding Ms. Lee in her upper chest. Ms. Lee later identified Riley as the shooter. Riley also later confessed to the shooting to his then-girlfriend. Riley had told detectives he had an alibi, was not present at the party and did not participate in the shooting.
When Riley returns to court February 20, he faces a mandatory life prison term for the murder, up to 50 years for the attempted murder and five to 20 years for the gun possession conviction.
Assistant District Attorneys Sam Crichton and Chris Bowman prosecuted the case. Riley was defended by Michael Enright and Stephen Folk-Cruthirds.
The case was docket No. 382248.
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