15-January-2016

Driver in Louisiana armed robbery immigrant slaying convicted of homicide

Baton Rouge, LA

On December 16, 2011, 26 year-old Honduras immigrant Fausto David Ortiz-Herrera was shot and killed in Baton Rouge. A .45 cartridge case was recovered from the crime scene. Cybergenetics TrueAllele® computer analysis of the DNA mixture data gave a match statistic of 93.3 million, connecting the cartridge to a suspect.

Driver Corderrius “Pooche” Mitchell was charged with second-degree homicide. His DNA was not on the cartridge. He declined a plea agreement and went to trial.

On January 14, 2016, Cybergenetics Dr. Mark Perlin testified in Baton Rouge about the TrueAllele match results. The next day, after deliberating 43 minutes, the jury convicted Mitchell of second-degree homicide. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

News

• Man shot to death during possible robbery - WAFB
  
• Detectives arrest man in connection with murder - WFLX
  
• Plea deal available until jury seated Tuesday, prosecutor tells defendant in Baton Rouge murder trial - The Advocate
  
• Trial begins in slaying of Honduran immigrant living with his brother in Baton Rouge - The Advocate
  
• Baton Rouge man who refused plea deal is convicted Friday and now faces life in prison for Tracy Avenue slaying - The Advocate
  
• Man sentenced to life without parole for 2011 murder - KPLC