On the night of May 12, 2017, the quiet of Linda Street in Rayville, Louisiana, was shattered by the sound of a gunshot. Responding to the scene shortly before 11 p.m., authorities discovered the body of a male victim, Keric Whitfield, lying on the street. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into his death would unravel a story of a burglary that escalated to murder, leading to the arrest of five individuals.
Investigators
determined that Whitfield's death was connected to a burglary that had taken place at a residence on Ruth Street. As the case progressed, five suspects were apprehended: Frost, Joshua Chisley, Quincy Hardiman, Rontarrious Jackson, and Brandon Jackson. All five were charged with crimes related to both the burglary and the death of Keric Whitfield. A narrative began to form, pointing to a conspiracy that culminated in a tragic loss of life.
During legal proceedings, a clearer picture of the events leading to the murder emerged. The four co-defendants, Chisley, Hardiman, and both Jacksons, all testified against Frost. They stated that it was Frost who had given the direct order to kill Whitfield. This testimony proved to be a crucial element in the prosecution's case.
The trial of the accused mastermind concluded with a jury finding Frost guilty. The six-man, six-woman jury delivered a unanimous verdict, convicting him on multiple charges, including the first-degree murder of Keric Whitfield. He was also found guilty of three counts of attempted first-degree murder related to the occupants of the house on Ruth Street, as well as criminal conspiracy to commit both first-degree murder and armed robbery.
