Murder suspect almost walks free

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 17, 2006

VIDALIA &8212; The criminal proceedings against murder suspect Lamont Henderson almost came to a quick conclusion Wednesday when Assistant District Attorney Brad Burget told Seventh District Judge Leo Boothe he had no evidence on the defendant.

&8220;I have no information to go forward until Ferriday police brings me a file,&8221; he said.

The only thing Burget had, he said, was the booking sheet from when Henderson, who was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder on Nov. 19, was transferred to the Concordia Parish Sheriff&8217;s Office jail.

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Henderson, 33, of General Pershing Street in New Orleans, is accused of shooting Kirby Rosenthal outside Kyle Road Apartments in Ferriday.

Prosecutors have 60 days from the time of arrest to file a bill of information, which makes formal allegations against a defendant.

Burgett told Boothe he had no way to charge Henderson because his office had yet to receive any information relating to FPD&8217;s investigation of the murder.

Henderson had filed a 701 motion with Boothe asking to either be charged or released, as per the law.

Ferriday Police Chief Robert Davis said he turned the file over shortly after noon.

&8220;I was waiting on one piece of evidence to return from the crime lab,&8221; he said. &8220;So I went and turned the whole file over complete except for that one piece.&8221;

Evidence received, Burget filed a bill of information charging Henderson with manslaughter, the maximum allowable under the law without a grand jury indictment.

Manslaughter carries a maximum prison term of 40 years; when sentences extend to life in prison or the death penalty, an indictment is required.

Burget said he plans to present the evidence to a grand jury for its opinion.