A Birthday Interrupted: The Unsolved Murder of Bryant “BJ” Craig in New Orleans

The Tragic Shooting of Bryant Craig

On July 31, 2005, Bryant “BJ” Craig, a 28-year-old New Orleans resident, was fatally shot on North Prieur Street while en route to his mother's home to celebrate his birthday. According to a passenger in Craig's car, the incident began when Craig nearly struck a pedestrian. After pulling over, Craig engaged in a verbal altercation with the pedestrian, who then drew a handgun, shot Craig eight times, and fled on foot .

The Immediate Aftermath and Arrest of Kia Stewart

In the hours following the shooting, police received an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers, claiming that the gunman had fled into a building at 646 N. Prieur Street. Seventeen-year-old Kia Stewart had previously lived at this address. However, Crime Stoppers later reported no record of such a tip. James Alexander, the passenger in Craig's car, identified Stewart in a photographic lineup, leading to Stewart's voluntary surrender to police on August 8, 2005 .

The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Case

Less than a week after Stewart's arrest, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans on August 29, 2005, causing widespread devastation and disrupting the city's infrastructure, including its criminal justice system. Stewart, detained at Orleans Parish Prison, endured the hurricane's aftermath without legal representation for several months. In February 2006, a grand jury indicted Stewart for second-degree murder .

The Trial and Conviction

Stewart's trial commenced on April 21, 2009. The prosecution's case relied heavily on the testimony of James Alexander, who identified Stewart as the shooter. Notably, the prosecution did not call any of the detectives involved in the investigation, hindering the defense's ability to present alternative suspect theories, particularly regarding Antonio Barnes, who had been considered a suspect and was killed in 2006. The defense presented no witnesses, despite having individuals who could testify to Stewart's alibi. On April 22, 2009, the jury convicted Stewart with a 10-2 vote, sentencing him to life imprisonment without parole ....Read More

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