GUILTY LA - M.L. Lloyd, 8, beaten to death, Reserve, 1 April 2008

[BeanE]

This is a very long article, with a complicated case. Basically, LE and the DA say the parents killed their son, 8 year old M. L. Lloyd. The parents say he had a fight with the other children in the household, which led to an asthma attack, which led to his death. Trial to start August 16.

Reserve parents deny killing their 8-year-old son, M.L. Lloyd III
Published: Sunday, July 31, 2011, 7:00 AM

The child's death certificate lists "asphyxia due to neck compression" as the immediate cause of death and his autopsy notes widespread fresh bruising and indicates that he was beaten and dragged after his death. Authorities have said that they believe M.L. could have been dead for two hours before he arrived at the emergency room.

But Tonya and Errstol Victor, speaking out publicly together for the first time since their arrest nearly three years ago, say they did not cause their son's death and that he was alive and talking to them on the way to the hospital.

They say M.L. died after an asthma attack that may have been set off by a fight with his brothers, which caused the bruising.

A St. John the Baptist Parish jury is set to decide which side it believes beginning Aug. 16.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/07/reserve_parents_deny_killing_t.html

Direct link to video of interview of parents:
http://videos.nola.com/times-picayu...e/2011/07/reserve_parents_deny_killing_t.html

 

[BeanE]

2008 article

Investigators: Child Whipped, Corpse Dragged
POSTED: 9:03 am CDT April 2, 2008
UPDATED: 6:18 pm CDT April 3, 2008

Three family members were charged in his death Tuesday, and appeared in court Thursday. Errol Victor Sr., 42, was charged with first-degree murder and held without bail. Tonya Victor, 33, and Errol Victor Jr., 21, were both charged accessory after the fact. Their bail was set at $250,000. Tonya Victor bonded out Thursday afternoon.

http://www.wdsu.com/news/15771315/detail.html#ixzz1TieYFqu8

 

[BeanE]

2010 article

Victors refuse to enter pleas
Judge enters ‘not guilty’ pleas for them in murder case
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 8:01 AM CDT

Court personnel said Monday that Errol Victor was so adamant in his refusal that he was escorted out after causing a disturbance in the courtroom and screaming to District Court Judge Mary Hotard Becnel, “I’m not going to enter the plea you want me to enter.”

The Victors were both indicted on second-degree murder charges in the 2008 death of 8-year-old M.L. Lloyd III, who is Tonya Victor’s son and Errol Victor’s stepson.

http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/08/18/news/doc4c6bd7cced50c256828670.txt

 

[Lovejac]

Wow, BeanE.

I'm going to have to think on this one for a little bit.

I am not convinced that the father is guilty.

Very odd case indeed.

 

[LadyL]

The video link doesn't work for me. Once the trial starts, the only thing I really care to see is the autopsy report and I'm interested in the hospital personnel witness accounts. Those will be telling IMO.

The mother & stepson running from the hospital is odd unless someone tipped them off that cops were at their house, like they tipped off Erroll Sr. That would explain them racing home to try & cover evidence or prevent LE from entering the home. Getting Erroll Jr. home to babysit makes no sense - why not just leave him there to begin with?

 

[BeanE]

I finally found a picture of Moses (M.L.)

It was in this article, also from 2010

Judge reconsiders ruling that voided murder charges against Reserve family
Published: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 5:30 PM
Updated: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 5:31 PM

A St. John the Baptist Parish district judge is considering an appeal from the state Attorney General's office that she reverse a previous ruling to vacate an indictment charging an 8-year-old boy's stepfather, mother and stepbrother with murder.

Prosecutors from the state Attorney General's Office asked Judge Madeline Jasmine on Wednesday to amend her earlier ruling, which said an indictment against the Reserve family should be quashed because a St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's deputy who was a member of the grand jury wore a shirt that advertised his employment.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/03/judge_reconsiders_ruling_that_void.html

 

[BeanE]

Another 2008 article, later updated in 2009

Reserve boy might have been beaten after death
Published: Thursday, April 03, 2008, 10:57 PM
Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:37 PM

Mitchell, the lead investigator in the case, testified that Errol Victor Sr. had said he "whipped" Lloyd for stealing.
Mitchell, who said he attended the autopsy on Wednesday, said there was evidence that Lloyd died two hours before he arrived at the hospital Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. He said there were large post-mortem bruising on the child's buttocks. Mitchell testified that there was evidence of asphyxiation and that there is a possibility the child was strangled.

The boy's autopsy was inconclusive, and further tests are pending, said St. John coroner Christy Montegut. Montegut said the medical examiner found widespread bruising, but the bruises did not appear to be fatal.

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/boy_might_have_been_beaten_aft.html

 

[BeanE]

I found quite a few articles about M.L.'s case. I put them all in date order on a new page on my website:

http://casesignal.wordpress.com/moses-m-l-lloyd-iii/

 

[BeanE]

For the convenience of my fellow sleuthers :blowkiss: here are all the news articles I collected, in date order. Updates will be on M.L.'s case reference on my website:
http://casesignal.wordpress.com/moses-m-l-lloyd-iii/

2006

Golf bag costing $4,000 had special meaning
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 9:05 AM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2006/10/18/news/headline.txt

2008

Parents, brother arrested in the death of an 8-year-old Reserve boy
Published: Wednesday, April 02, 2008, 7:30 AM – Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:38 PM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/st_john_sheriffs_deputies_inve.html

Investigators: Child Whipped, Corpse Dragged
POSTED: 9:03 am CDT April 2, 2008 – UPDATED: 6:18 pm CDT April 3, 2008
http://www.wdsu.com/news/15771315/detail.html#ixzz1Tmv7e0dX

Autopsy shows 8-year-old had ‘widespread bruising’
Published: Wednesday, April 02, 2008, 9:24 PM – Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:37 PM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/childs_death_still_being_probe.html

Reserve boy might have been beaten after death
Published: Thursday, April 03, 2008, 10:57 PM – Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:37 PM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/boy_might_have_been_beaten_aft.html

Death of child is probed
Errol Victor, wife, step-son arrested after 8-year-old brought dead to hospital
Published/Last Modified on Friday, April 4, 2008 1:58 PM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2008/04/04/news/doc47f6786350d46307975880.txt

Parents of 8-year-old Reserve boy charged with murder in his death
Published: Monday, April 12, 2010, 7:02 PM – Updated: Monday, April 12, 2010, 7:38 PM
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/04/parents_of_8-year-old_reserve.html

Child’s stepdad, mother, stepbrother charged
Published: Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 10:00 PM – Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:37 PM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/childs_stepdad_mother_stepbrot.html

Step-father charged with murder, mom, step-brother have lesser charges
Published/Last Modified on Friday, April 18, 2008 2:09 PM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2008/04/18/news/doc4808ee19dccd4310816904.txt

Stepdad seeks bail in murder of 8-year-old Reserve boy
Published: Thursday, May 29, 2008, 8:45 PM – Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:14 PM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/stepdad_seeks_bail_in_murder_c.html

A St. John judge considers bond for stepfather indicted for child’s death
Published: Thursday, May 29, 2008, 4:59 PM – Updated: Thursday, May 29, 2008, 7:09 PM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/a_st_john_judge_considers_bond.html

Stepdad seeks bail in murder of 8-year-old Reserve boy
Published: Thursday, May 29, 2008, 8:45 PM – Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:14 PM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/stepdad_seeks_bail_in_murder_c.html

Reserve man indicted in stepson’s death released on bail
Published: Wednesday, June 04, 2008, 10:47 AM – Updated: Wednesday, June 04, 2008, 11:51 AM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/a_reserve_man_indicted_on.html

Watch: Accused Child Killer Released On Bond
Errol Victor Sr. Blamed in Death of 8-Year-Old Stepson
POSTED: 6:42 pm CDT June 4, 2008 – UPDATED: 7:09 pm CDT June 4, 2008
http://www.wdsu.com/news/16499234/detail.html#ixzz1TmxPJmD3

Mother pleads ‘not guilty’ in death
Published: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 10:14 PM – Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:13 PM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/mother_pleads_not_guilty_in_de.html

Victor trial set for Jan. 14
Family’s supporters claim unfair treatment by justice system
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 2:19 PM CST
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2008/12/10/news/doc4935911f8cd5e864238799.txt

2009

L’OBSERVATEUR TAKES A LOOK BACK AT 2008
Published/Last Modified on Monday, January 5, 2009 7:56 AM CST
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2009/01/14/news/doc495e9676a4fca450125451.txt

Reserve man sent back to jail in connection with 8-year-old stepson’s death
Published: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 4:27 PM – Updated: Thursday, February 12, 2009, 10:14 AM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/reserve_man_sent_back_to_jail.html
8-year-old Reserve boy was beaten by stepfather and three brothers before his death, another brother testifies
Published: Thursday, February 12, 2009, 7:37 AM – Updated: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 4:51 PM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/victim_was_beaten_his_brother.html

Victor bond revoked
Coroner’s investigation rules boy’s death homicide
Published/Last Modified on Monday, February 16, 2009 2:19 PM CST
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2009/02/20/news/doc4999c2790990d343691144.txt

Tonya Victor says charges unfair in alleged beating death of her 8-year-old son in Reserve
Published: Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 10:11 PM – Updated: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 4:51 PM
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/mom_says_charges_unfair_in_res.html

Lynching is horrible, not a metaphor
Published: Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 1:00 AM – Updated: Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 1:04 AM
http://blog.nola.com/jarvisdeberry/2009/02/lynching_is_horrible_not_a_met.html

Charges revised in death of 8-year-old Reserve boy
Published: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 7:22 PM – Updated: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:09 PM
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2009/09/charges_revised_in_death_of_8-.html

Reserve man accused of killing his 8-year-old stepson won’t be prosecuted by St. John DA
Published: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 6:01 AM – Updated: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 7:37 AM
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2009/10/post_39.html

2010

2009 Victor indictment thrown out
Published/Last Modified on Saturday, February 13, 2010 12:31 PM CST
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/02/24/news/doc4b76eed8f2200307974211.txt

Indictment of family in death of 8-year-old Reserve boy invalidated
Published: Thursday, February 11, 2010, 6:59 PM – Updated: Thursday, February 11, 2010, 7:21 PM
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/02/reserve_murder_indictment_inva.html

Judge reconsiders ruling that voided murder charges against Reserve family
Published: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 5:30 PM – Updated: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 5:31 PM
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/03/judge_reconsiders_ruling_that_void.html

Reverse course, judge is urged
Indictment voided in boy’s death
Thursday, March 11, 2010
http://www.nola.com/tpstore/index.s...ews-14/126828923333890.xml&coll=1&style=print
Grand jury reindicts Victor family
State appealed decision to drop previous charges
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 1:10 AM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/04/26/news/doc4bc4d4b98adaf488990723.txt

Victors go back to court May 3
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 1:09 AM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/05/01/news/doc4bce0d72ca0c6585764494.txt

Victors sent back to jail after new arraignment
Published/Last Modified on Saturday, May 8, 2010 1:10 AM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/05/08/news/doc4be48b7cd21e6104224359.txt

POLICE REPORTS
Published/Last Modified on Saturday, May 8, 2010 1:10 AM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/05/13/news/doc4be48b9eb23c9071621792.txt

Victors want local judges off case
Published/Last Modified on Saturday, June 12, 2010 2:11 PM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/06/16/news/doc4c12ab17a524d767020297.txt

Judges to remain in Victor cases
Ad hoc judge rules for Becnel, Snowdy
Published/Last Modified on Friday, July 2, 2010 10:53 PM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/07/15/news/doc4c2e6186cacb6558749782.txt

Reserve couple indicted in connection with death of 8-year-old son seeks new judge
Published: Wednesday, August 04, 2010, 6:12 PM
Updated: Wednesday, August 04, 2010, 6:35 PM
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/08/reserve_couple_indicted_in_con.html

Court fight continues in child’s death
It’s unclear which judge will take case
Thursday, August 05, 2010
http://www.nola.com/tpstore/index.ssf?/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/1280989879272870.xml&coll=1
Victors refuse to enter pleas
Judge enters ‘not guilty’ pleas for them in murder case
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 8:01 AM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/08/18/news/doc4c6bd7cced50c256828670.txt

Becnel renders motion filed by Victors moot
Couple expected back in court Sept. 20
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 1:10 AM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/09/11/news/doc4c7d5e46e0dfe991264213.txt

Federal, district judges refuse to move Victor case
Published: Wednesday, September 08, 2010, 4:59 PM – Updated: Wednesday, September 08, 2010, 5:07 PM
http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2010/09/federal_district_judges_refuse.html

Victor trial to remain in parish, judge rules
Published/Last Modified on Friday, September 10, 2010 11:21 PM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/09/11/news/doc4c8a998d813e1110945862.txt

No decision yet on Victor representation
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 1:13 AM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/09/26/news/doc4c991393d5502295995706.txt

Parents will represent themselves at murder trial
Published: Monday, October 18, 2010, 5:01 PM – Updated: Monday, October 18, 2010, 5:26 PM
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/10/post_217.html

Victors can represent themselves in court
Judge grants the right, but warns against it
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 3:06 PM CDT
http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2010/10/27/news/doc4cbdf87381298178784492.txt

2011

Reserve parents deny killing their 8-year-old son, M.L. Lloyd III – Article
Published: Sunday, July 31, 2011, 7:00 AM
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/07/reserve_parents_deny_killing_t.html

Reserve parents deny killing their 8-year-old son, M.L. Lloyd III – Video
Posted: Saturday, July 30, 2011, 2:56 PM
http://videos.nola.com/times-picayune/2011/07/reserve_parents_deny_killing_t.html

 

[BeanE]

Arrest warrant issued for Reserve couple charged in death of 8-year-old son
Published: Monday, August 15, 2011, 12:13 PM
Updated: Monday, August 15, 2011, 2:13 PM


District Judge Mary Hotard Becnel has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Errol and Tonya Victor after they failed to show up for the final status conference before their trial on Tuesday.

"I want them actively sought out. I want them held and I want them here for 9 o'clock in the morning," Becnel said.

Lionel Lon Burns, the Victor's attorney, said the only communication he had received from his clients was a "rambling" message regarding the hearing and upcoming trial.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/08/arrest_warrant_issued_for_rese.html

 

[BeanE]

Victor family murder case participants barred from talking with reporters
Published: Friday, August 05, 2011, 7:10 PM


Julie Cullen, who is prosecuting the case for the state attorney general's office, filed a motion requesting the order on Wednesday. On Friday, 40th Judicial District Judge Mary Hotard Becnel granted that request.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/08/judge_prohibits_interviews_wit.html

 

[BeanE]

Son thinks Reserve couple charged in death of 8-year-old son are on the lam
Published: Monday, August 15, 2011, 7:14 PM
Updated: Monday, August 15, 2011, 8:57 PM

However, as of Monday night, the Sheriff's Office had not made an arrest and one of the Victors' sons said he believes his parents have fled the area because they believe they cannot get a fair trial with their current attorney.

"He's not fleeing because of a sense of guilt," said Marcus Victor, 19. "He's leaving for justice and to look for help."

Marcus Victor, who lives with his father and stepmother, said he last saw his father when he woke him up Monday morning. He said Errol Victor told him he was going to court and handed him both his and Tonya Victor's cellphones.

He said he believes the Victors are gone "because they left both of their phones, the key to the truck. They left their clothes, and they've been talking about there's no way they can have a fair trial."

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/08/son_thinks_reserve_couple_char.html

 

[tiredblondy]

Wow this is a strange one.

 

[bessie]

Nice work, BeanE. I'm glad you're on this one. It's a strange case, all right.

 

[MsFacetious]

Guilty or innocent.... there is some definite parenting issues here. Very sad.

Guilty or innocent... there is some definite jumping the gun by law enforcement and the system.

In the hospital and saying they will take responsibility for everything... that means they caused the child's condition?
Only if you've never been to the ER with a child!

Arresting them minutes after the child dies? There's like 15 freaking people in the house!

Putting their kids up for adoption before they are even convicted of a crime... what if they are exonerated? Then what? Unbelievable.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/07/reserve_parents_deny_killing_t.html

When Errol and Tonya Victor met seven years ago, she had five sons from a previous marriage and he had six.
The couple later had two more sons together.



On the morning of April 1, 2008, Tonya Victor said the boys were getting dressed and Errol Victor had left to attend a meeting when M.L. came to her to confess that he had taken ice cream without permission.

Tonya Victor said she spanked M.L. for stealing, :waitasec: then gathered her biological sons together and told them she was going to enroll them in a military school or send them to live with their fathers if their behavior problems continued.


"I go upstairs and they are fighting M.L., literally fighting him, beating him," she said. "They have M.L. with a belt whipping him."

Tonya Victor said she broke up the fight and learned one of the boys was mad at M.L. because he had actually taken the ice cream but thought M.L. had told on him.

The others joined in, she said, because they did not want to be sent away. :cry:



In the meantime, hospital personnel began asking Errol Victor for M.L.'s medical history and personal information. He said he didn't know the information but assured doctors he would take responsibility for everything.

The statement that he would take responsibility for everything, according to authorities at the time, was part of the basis for his arrest and indicated that he would take responsibility for the death. :waitasec:

"Look, I'm talking about the care of my child," he said. "They know that, because that's not a statement to police. They misrepresented that deliberately."



The Victors are prohibited from having contact with their minor children.

One remains in foster care and four are living with their biological fathers.

They said the two youngest have been adopted.

"(Judge Sterling) Snowdy put them up for adoption, which is a permanent decision, and we haven't even been to trial yet," Errol Victor said.

 

[Purps]

Leaving everything behind, last resort, hope it does not lead to two bodies showing up.

No way to have a fair trail.....driven to suicide

 

[Camille]

This is wrong in so many ways.

 

[BeanE]

Murder trial is delayed as search for Reserve couple continues
Published: Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 3:25 PM
Updated: Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 4:02 PM

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/08/start_of_trial_delayed_as_sear.html



Warrant issued for Reserve couple after failing to attend hearing before their murder trial
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: August 16, 2011 - 9:32 am
Last Updated: August 16, 2011 - 9:32 am

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/52f69be350d64f07902fc26adf524db2/LA--Childs-Death/

 

[BeanE]

From first article I just posted:

This week's delays are among the latest that have caused the case to stretch on for nearly three and a half years, including three indictments, two judges, numerous appeals and lawsuits, a change in prosecutors and several attorneys for the defendants, who at one time represented themselves.



Will this child never get justice?

 

[BeanE]

Leaving everything behind, last resort, hope it does not lead to two bodies showing up.

No way to have a fair trail.....driven to suicide

If it was only one attorney they were unhappy, I might buy it. Multiple attorneys they were unhappy with leads me to think differently.