By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

EDGARD – Defense attorneys representing family members involved in the alleged homicide of an 8-year-old Reserve boy spent the better part of a Thursday bond hearing trying to refute claims by the St. John Sheriff’s department that the boy was murdered.

Errol Victor, 42, was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in the death of his stepson, 8-year-old M. L. Boyd III. Victor’s wife, Tonya, and son, Errol Jr., were also arrested Tuesday and charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Maj. Mike Tregre, public information officer for the St. John Sheriff’s Office, said the charges were levied Tuesday after Boyd was brought to River Parishes Hospital by the Victors. According to Tregre, the child was unresponsive, and medical personnel later pronounced him dead in the emergency room. The arrests were based on physical evidence of abuse found on the child by emergency room staff, and an admission by Errol Victor Sr. that he would take responsibility for what happened.

Thursday’s hearing concluded with District Court Judge J. Sterling Snowdy setting a bond of $250,000 each for Tonya and Errol Victor Jr. Errol Victor Sr. was denied bond due to the nature of the crime.

Throughout the court proceedings, Errol Victor and his step-son showed little emotion while testimony was being presented. Tonya Victor, however, was visibly shaken throughout the entire hearing. She spent most of her time in court quietly sobbing, shaking and rocking back and forth in her chair. The three sat clothed in orange jumpsuits with shackles on their hands and feet.

As part of their arguments, the family’s legal counsel alluded to preexisting conditions that may have contributed to Boyd’s death. Attorney Jake Lemmon told the court that the boy had a history of “fainting” and that further autopsy would bring this condition to light.

An initial autopsy report, performed Wednesday, showed widespread bruising across Boyd’s entire body but was inconclusive as to the cause of death. St. John

Coroner Dr. Christy Montegut said none of the bruises, some of which came post mortem, looked life threatening. He said further tests are still pending.

During the hearing, Lemmon extensively questioned Detective Kenneth Mitchell, the lead investigator on the case, trying to determine why his clients were charged in connection with the case. Lemmon argued that since the autopsy was inconclusive, there was no reason for his clients to be charged with murder.

“What we have here is evidence of tragic child abuse, but no evidence of cause of death,” said Lemmon. “The only thing we know is that there is a deceased child.”

Mitchell said in court that the arrests were made based on evidence collected from the investigation. He said St. John deputies questioned doctors and nurses at the emergency room when Tonya and Errol Victor, Jr. dropped Boyd off for treatment at River Parishes Hospital.

Mitchell’s testimony recounted the events that transpired when Boyd was taken to the emergency room. He said Tonya Victor and Errol Victor Jr., told the ER clerk that Boyd was unresponsive and needed medical help. Mitchell said once Boyd was dropped off, the two suspects turned toward the door and walked out of the hospital.

Mitchell went on to say that the ER clerk followed the Victors outside. At that time, Mitchell said the clerk came in contact with Errol Victor Sr., who told the clerk that he would “take full responsibility for what happened.” Mitchell said witnesses also overheard Victor telling his wife not to talk to police, “you just lost a son, and you may lose a husband to jail.” Mitchell said no one in the family cooperated with the Sheriff’s Office investigation.

The detective also said the autopsy showed signs of possible asphyxiation because of hemorrhaging around the neck near the throat. There were, however, no visible signs of bruising around the outside of the neck.

Attorneys argued that the asphyxiation could have been caused by any number of factors, and that it could not be proven that the boy was maliciously choked. Attorneys told the court that Errol Victor, Sr. had “whipped” his stepson earlier that day for stealing.

Tregg C. Wilson, another attorney representing the Victors, said after the hearing that he is in the process of procuring funds to get his clients out of jail. He said the events of the past week were “a great tragedy,” and that no one has been able to grieve. He wants to give the family the opportunity to grieve for their fallen family member.

The St. John clerk of court said a trial date has not yet been set, but said Judge Madeline Jasmine would be taking up the proceedings when that time comes. Jasmine was chosen by random assignment.

About a dozen family members for Errol Victor Sr. were present at the hearing but were advised by attorneys not to comment.

“We ask that the public keep their opinions to themselves until all the facts have come out,” said one family member who declined to give her name.

Outside of being known in the community as a restaurant owner and car dealer, little else is known about Errol Victor, Sr. Victor once had plans of developing a residential community, known as Praise Place Estates on the land along LA 3179, where his extravagant house stands. He got approval for the subdivision and developed it effectively enough that he sold the land to top local building Landcraft Homes.

Neighbors who lived near the Victor home said they saw him as a stern disciplinarian, who ordered the kids to do what they considered severe punishment at times, occasionally having to carry bricks while running back and forth to a nearby railroad.

Michael Otkins, the brother of Tonya Victor, was also present at the hearing, and showed great concern for his sister, who suffers with asthma and high blood pressure. He said the family is deeply hurt by what happened, and is trying to remain prayerful as they determine what really happened.

Twelve other children of various ages lived in the house with the Victors. According to Tregre, the children have been turned over to state custody, and have been placed in foster homes.