On a tragic night in New Orleans, shortly before midnight on January 7, 2010, Kewanda Harris was killed in a violent shooting inside a residence at 2721 Urquhart Street. The attack also claimed the lives of two other individuals, Karen Matthews and Desmond Harris, while a fourth person, Carol Belisle, was shot but survived her injuries. Police arrived at the scene to find a horrific tableau, with two deceased female victims in a bedroom, the wounded Ms.
Belisle on a bed, and an unharmed child discovered under the bed covers. A deceased male victim was later found in the rear yard of the house with a gunshot wound to the head.
The investigation into the triple homicide led to the identification and arrest of two suspects: Charles “Tiger” Franklin and Dwayne J. “Red” Johnson. Both men were subsequently charged with three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Kewanda Harris, Karen Matthews, and Desmond Harris. The motive for the shooting was not detailed in the available information. The case proceeded through the legal system, bringing a measure of justice for the victims and their families.
In the ensuing court proceedings, Dwayne J. “Red” Johnson entered into a plea agreement, pleading guilty to a reduced charge of three counts of manslaughter. Charles “Tiger” Franklin, however, went to trial on the original charges. He was found guilty on all three counts of first-degree murder. Following his conviction, Franklin was sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison, with no possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of his sentence. An appeal of his conviction was later denied, affirming the life sentences.
