LaPrairie not indicted in death of husband

Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 31, 2004

NATCHEZ &045;&045; Donna LaPrairie, who was charged in the October death of her husband Ronnie, was not indicted in a recent grand jury session.

The grand jury thoroughly reviewed the case in this month’s session, District Attorney Ronnie Harper said.

Ronnie Loyd LaPraire, 53, was shot once in the chest with a .20-gauge shotgun at the family’s home on Ogden Road.

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Donna LaPrairie made the 911-call, saying she had accidentally shot her husband.

Statements taken at the scene indicated that Ronnie LaPrairie had been arguing with one of his sons.

&uot;Apparently, he (Ronnie) started hitting one of the boys, and she (Donna) ran out there and grabbed a shotgun and shot him,&uot; Former Sheriff Tommy Ferrell said in October.

The sheriff’s department had received several calls of domestic violence from the house before.

Attorney Shep Crawford, who is handling the LaPrairie estate, said he could not comment on the case at this time.