LeFlore County man Sentenced for 2019 Killing of Laroy Booker

Greenwood, MS – District Attorney W. Dewayne Richardson announced this week that on Monday, November 16, 2020, Janarius Street pled guilty in Leflore County Circuit Court for the murder of Laroy Booker.

On Christmas Day in 2019, deputies with the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call where they discovered Street on his grandmother’s front porch smoking a cigarette and his victim, Laroy Booker in a back room of the house. The deputies found Laroy Booker stabbed in the throat and also found bruising and other injuries to her neck and head.

Street never denied any involvement in Booker’s death but made a claim of self-defense although he had no defensive wounds. After a thorough investigation into the relationship between Street and Booker, there was evidence that they had been in an on again off again dating relationship that was plagued with domestic violence incidents only a few of which were reported to the police.

A little over a month before the one year anniversary of Ms. Booker’s death, her killer admitted his actions in open court as he pled guilty to Second Degree Murder. Senior Circuit Judge Ashley Hines sentenced Street to the State’s recommendation of 30 years with the Mississippi Department of Corrections with 25 of those years to be served in prison and 5 of those years to be served on post release supervision. Under Mississippi law, Street will serve every day of his sentence without any opportunity for early release or parole.

The case against Street was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Amanda Sturniolo Langford, who appreciates the hard work of the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department in responding to the crime scene and its subsequent investigation. ADA Langford stated: “I know that no amount of time in prison can bring Ms. Booker back to her family, but I hope that this is a sentence that brings a sense of justice and closure to this incredibly painful time in their lives. Domestic violence cases are some of the most important and serious cases that the District Attorney’s Office prosecutes, and we hope that more victims report these incidents to police and stick with us throughout the judicial process.”

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resources

Attorney General

www.ago.state.ms.us

MDOC

www.ms.gov

Federal Prisoners

www.bop.gov

Sex Offender Registry

state.sor.dps.ms.gov

AG Victim Unit

www.ago.state.ms.us

Our Mission

The mission of the District Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Circuit Court, under the direction of
W. Dewayne Richardson, is to seek justice in order to maintain an environment of safety, security and lawful behavior for the citizens of the Fourth District.

The Office of the District Attorney uses lawful and reasonable methods to successfully identify and prosecute those who commit felony crimes. When a crime occurs, the Office of the District Attorney diligently pursues the indictment and conviction of those responsible, while adhering to all rights of the Victim, ensuring the victim is being provided all direct services applicable, and acknowledging all constitutional safeguards for the accused.

The District Attorney’s Office for the Fourth
District’s goal is to work with law enforcement and the judiciary to punish those who break our laws with adequate punishment. Every representative of the Office of the District Attorney pledges their commitment and full support to the protection of all citizens within the Fourth Circuit Court District.

Contact

Greenville Office
P.O. Box 426
Greenville MS 38702
[P] 662.378.2105
[F] 662.332.4665
generalinfo@msdeltada.com

Indianola Office
P.O. Box 1046
Indianola, MS 38751
[P] 662.887.4306
[F] 662.887.6275
generalinfo@msdeltada.com

Greenwood Office
P.O. Box 253
Greenwood, MS 38935
[P] 662.453.1089
[F] 662.451.7291
generalinfo@msdeltada.com

Judicial Process

Citizen's Involvement in the criminal justice system typically begins with them being a victim, witness, or defendant of a crime. Arrests are made generally by a judge-issued warrant or by a police officer observing a crime in process. Law enforcement may also arrest someone if it has probable cause to believe the person committed a criminal offense. When individuals are arrested they are routinely advised of their Miranda Rights upon arrest, advising them that they have the right to remain silent and that anything they say will be used against them in court. On being questioned, defendants have the right to have their attorney present or to have one appointed if they are indigent.

Felony defendants appear at a first appearance and have the charges reviewed. A judge will inquire if the defendant has an attorney. If low income, the defendant may qualify for a court-appointed lawyer. No plea is entered at this time unless the defendant wishes to plead guilty or waives indictment and has an attorney present. All felony cases are presented to a grand jury in the county that the crime was committed. In the State of Mississippi, only a grand jury has the authority to indict an individual for a felony offense and require them to stand trial for the charges alleged in an affidavit and indictment.

If an indictment is issued, the defendant is bound over to stand trial or enter a guilty plea to the crimes alleged. When a criminal trial occurs all 12 jurors must find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Sentences are decided by Circuit Court Judges in all criminal matters. In most cases a recommendation is made regarding imprisonment, probation, fines and restitution.

Municipalities

• City of Greenville

• City of Hollandale
• City of Leland
• City of Metcalfe

• Washington County
• City of Indianola
• City of Ruleville
• City of Drew

• City of Moorhead

• City of Inverness

• City of Sunflower

• Sunflower County

• City of Itta Bena

• City of Greenwood

• Leflore County

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