By Stephen Hemelt
L’OBSERVATEUR

BATON ROUGE — The two men arrested following the shooting death of West St. John High School football coach Juan Joseph face March 11 grand jury decisions on formal charges, authorities said.

Joseph, 27, was fatally shot at approximately 2 a.m. Nov. 16 outside Allure Nightclub in Baton Rouge. Joseph was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

On Nov. 18, authorities arrested Kendric Letrell Cloud, 25, of Baker, indicating he was the suspected shooter.

Police arrested LeMark Cloud, who is the cousin of accused shooter Kendric Cloud, Nov. 17 for illegal use of a weapon and felony possession of a firearm for his suspected role in the shooting.

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said Kendric Cloud came before Judge Richard Anderson Monday for a status conference with his attorney, adding the matter was passed without date because 120 days have not elapsed since the defendant’s arrest. 

“The grand jury is expected to hear the case involving both Landmark Cloud and Kendric Cloud on March 11, at which time the grand jury will make a decision as to what, if any, formal charges will be levied in the murder of Juan Joseph,” Moore said. 

On Tuesday, Moore said, Kendric Cloud appeared before Judge Beau Higginbotham for a probation revocation for an unrelated possession of cocaine charge.

“The court found that Kendric Cloud had violated the conditions of his probation, and his probation was revoked,” Moore said.

“His original five-year sentence was executed.”

LeMark Cloud has been billed with accessory after the fact to second degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm and obstruction of justice.

Moore said LeMark Cloud came before Judge Anderson for an arraignment Jan. 29 and entered a not guilty plea.

“The case has been assigned for motions on March 24, when he will also face revocation of his probation in an unrelated case for attempted possession of hydromorphone,” Moore said.

Juan Joseph

Joseph taught with the St. John the Baptist School District from 2011 to May of 2014 and was also helping guide the 2014 playoff football team as a CECP coach.

St. John the Baptist Parish Schools Superintendent Kevin George said Joseph recently earned his master of business administration, and in May decided to pursue other career opportunities to further utilize his degree. However, his commitment to the school’s football players never changed.

Joseph played defense on West St. John’s 2003 state championship team as a junior and quarterbacked the Rams’ 2004 state championship team as a senior.

At Division III Millsaps, Joseph was a three-time Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, the first to earn the recognition three times.