GUILTY LA - Janice Carto, 33, & 3 kids killed in arson fire, Harvey, 10 Nov 2004

[angiefly2]

Casby was scheduled to stand trial in February, but last week U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon agreed to postpone it to April. Attorneys on both sides of the case sought the delay, in part because the death penalty is off the table. As such, Casby is no longer entitled to two court-appointed lawyers. Fallon has given Casby three weeks to discuss that with his attorneys, Gaynell Williams and John Craft.

A more practical reason for delaying the trial, attorneys pointed out, is that jury selection had been scheduled to begin Feb. 4, on the day after Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and falls amid Carnival season. U.S. District Court is on Poydras Street, blocks from the Superdome, and the city's parade routes flow through the Central Business District.

"Based on these two major events and the resulting difficulty it will create to get law enforcement officers to testify in court when they will have other public safety duties to attend to, all parties agreed that the trial date should be continued," the lawyers wrote.

Other grounds for delaying the trial is the unresolved question of whether a jury will hear Casby's confession, which he claims was coerced by detectives who resorted to trickery and physical abuse to get him to provide a statement admitting responsibility for the killings.

More @ link: http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/11/federal_prosecutors_will_not_s.html

 

[SwampMama]

Casby was scheduled to stand trial in February, but last week U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon agreed to postpone it to April. Attorneys on both sides of the case sought the delay, in part because the death penalty is off the table. As such, Casby is no longer entitled to two court-appointed lawyers. Fallon has given Casby three weeks to discuss that with his attorneys, Gaynell Williams and John Craft.

A more practical reason for delaying the trial, attorneys pointed out, is that jury selection had been scheduled to begin Feb. 4, on the day after Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and falls amid Carnival season. U.S. District Court is on Poydras Street, blocks from the Superdome, and the city's parade routes flow through the Central Business District.

"Based on these two major events and the resulting difficulty it will create to get law enforcement officers to testify in court when they will have other public safety duties to attend to, all parties agreed that the trial date should be continued," the lawyers wrote.

Other grounds for delaying the trial is the unresolved question of whether a jury will hear Casby's confession, which he claims was coerced by detectives who resorted to trickery and physical abuse to get him to provide a statement admitting responsibility for the killings.

More @ link: http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/11/federal_prosecutors_will_not_s.html

Thank you so much for posting this. Unfortunately information and updates for this case are so rare and it is infuriating that 2 adults and 2 children died (and one child was left hopelessy brain damaged) so brutally and that no one is interested in giving this case attention.

 

[angiefly2]

Thank you so much for posting this. Unfortunately information and updates for this case are so rare and it is infuriating that 2 adults and 2 children died (and one child was left hopelessy brain damaged) so brutally and that no one is interested in giving this case attention.

You are very welcome! I found out about this case through your sig. line and checked the thread out and did some research on this case and it's one I would like to follow. If there is anything I can do please feel free to PM me anytime. You were such a blessing to Cleveland and it sounds as though he was a blessing to you and it just melted my heart! Bless the victims and their friends and families and may this murderer be brought to justice soon.

 

[SwampMama]

One of the heartbreaking things is that this crime wiped out 3 generations of a family in one night, Janice, 2 of her children and her only grandchild all died and Janice's remaining child Jarvis, is forever brain-damaged and needing institutionalization for the rest of his life.

I believe I read that Janice's mother died sometime after the crime and I am wondering who is left to fight for Cleveland. Cleveland's father ( last name McGinnis, I believe) has come forward but I just don't know who is really out there really fighting for Cleveland, Janice, Cynthia and Cyanna.

So I appreciate each and every one of you who comes to this thread and helps to ensure that Cleveland and his family are not forgotten.

 

[MsFacetious]

Okay Swamp... as you might have noticed in my own signature... after 4.5 years we finally have charges for Juliette's brutal murder.
For 4 years I have written a letter, done research, done something on Juliette's case everyday.

THAT fact frees up a bit of time for me to work on Cleveland's case now now that Juliette is getting justice. :woohoo:

So what's the plan?

Do we need media attention?
Do we need petitions?
What do we need to do?

 

[SwampMama]

Okay Swamp... as you might have noticed in my own signature... after 4.5 years we finally have charges for Juliette's brutal murder.
For 4 years I have written a letter, done research, done something on Juliette's case everyday.

THAT fact frees up a bit of time for me to work on Cleveland's case now now that Juliette is getting justice. :woohoo:

So what's the plan?

Do we need media attention?
Do we need petitions?
What do we need to do?

Well Ms... When i saw the words that charges were filed in Juliette's case, it was as if the heavens opened up and I was awestruck. You just don't know how proud I am of you for all you did, how you kept pushing for Justice for Juliette!! I posted Juliettes updates on my facebook and know how long you have been working to get this day. What an amazing person you are!!!!

Now for Cleveland... I just don't know what to do. I'm not in contact with anyone who has anything to do with the case. Perhaps I need to get on the web and start finding those who are on Cleveland's side and get in touch with them and connect.

Unfortunately, hurricane Katrina has displaced so many people and this crime was so many years ago that it seems to have fallen by the wayside and gathered little interest except for the fact that Cyrus is being tried again.

I am just patiently biding my time waiting for the day when it finally comes to court.

 

[MsFacetious]

But just simply contacting the media about it? Has anyone done that?

 

[SwampMama]

Basically the case against Cyrus is this: On November 10, 2004 he set the apartment on fire after stabbing his 17yo girlfriend Cynthia Carto 21 times and slashing 3 other victims, 19 mo Cyanna Carto, 33yo Janice Carto and Janice Carto’s 11yo son Cleveland Carto McGinnis. He also injured her 10yo son Jarvis Carto. The boy was left with irreversible brain damage due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Casby was also charged with injury to a firefighter Walter Allen.
He confessed but later recanted and was inexplicably aquitted in 2008. The feds felt that the course cried out for justice and so he was charged again for the crime, but this time in federal court, due to the fact that the victims lived in federally subsidized housing.

Here is a listing of the article that I can find about the case. Some may have been linked before:


Man Charged with Four Murders in Louisiana Fire - June 14, 2007
An 18-year-old man was arrested and accused of killing four people. The slayings apparently stemmed from a domestic dispute .Found dead at the scene were the suspect's girlfriend, their 1-year-old daughter, and the woman's mother and brother, Cyrus Casby, has confessed.
http://mobile.firehouse.com/news/10507608/man-charged-with-four-murders-in-louisiana-fire

Trial begins in West Bank quadruple killing | NOLA.com
May 28, 2008 ... Swinging a knife 34 times on that morning in late 2004, Cyrus Casby stabbed and slashed his girlfriend, her mother and her little brother before ...
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/trial_begins_in_west_bank_quad.html

West bank quadruple murder trial resumes | NOLA.com
May 29, 2008 ... Testimony resumed this morning, the second day in the trial of Cyrus Casby, who is accused of killing four people inside a Harvey apartment in ...http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/west_bank_quadruple_murder_tri.html

In day three of quadruple murder trial, Jeff chief deputy denies wrongdoing
May 30, 2008
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/in_day_three_of_quadruple_murd.html

Jefferson Parish quadruple-murder defendant acquitted | NOLA.com
May 31, 2008 ... Delivering a blow to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, a jury Saturday acquitted Cyrus Casby of charges he killed four people, including his ...http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/accused_quadruple_murder_corru.html



Jeff prosecutors upbeat despite two high-profile losses
Jun 14, 2008 ... Cyrus Casby. By many accounts, Jefferson Parish prosecutors had a solid case against Cyrus Casby. Among the 325 pieces of evidence, they ...
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/jeff_prosecutors_upbeat_despit.html


Cyrus Casby - NOLA.com
Jul 25, 2011 ... In a rarely used maneuver prosecutors reserve for cases that "cry out for another prosecution," a former Marrero resident who was acquitted in ...http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/07/man_acquitted_of_killing_four.html


Federal government hasn't decided whether to seek death penalty ...
May 24, 2012 ... Cyrus Casby, who was acquitted of state murder charges by a Jefferson Parish jury four years ago, was indicted last year under federal statutes ...http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/05/federal_government_hasnt_decid.html

Federal judge sets new trial date in case against Cyrus Casby ...
Jun 7, 2012 ... The Justice Department has not decided whether to pursue a death penalty in its case against Cyrus Casby, accused of setting an apartment ...http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/06/federal_judge_sets_new_trial_d.html



Jun 30, 2012 ... The Justice Department has not decided whether to pursue a death penalty in its case against Cyrus Casby, accused of setting an apartment
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/06/federal_judge_sets_new_trial_d.html


Marrero man accused of multiple murders wants confession tossed ...
Aug 24, 2012 ... Cyrus Casby, 27, awaits trial on federal charges tied to the 2004 deaths of four people he allegedly killed by setting an apartment on fire in ...http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/08/marrero_man_accused_of_mulitpl.html

Federal prosecutors seek delay in trial for Cyrus Casby, accused in ...
Oct 2, 2012 ... A pending decision on whether Cyrus Casby should face a death sentence is among the unresolved issues federal prosecutors cite in seeking ...http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/10/federal_prosecutors_seek_delay.html


A case of what was a GROSS MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE the Feds have decided to pick up the torch to give justice an opportunity to prevail. Fed Death Penalty Off Table for Cyrus Casby in 2004 LA Arson Murders
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=116053691889980&story_fbid=121330041362345

 

[Renee110]

Has this gone to trial yet?

 

[Zoe Bogart]

Bringing this up because:

Cyrus Casby convicted of 2004 arson that killed and injured 6, including his 19-month-old daughter

Cyrus Casby, the former Marrero resident who was acquitted by a Jefferson Parish jury five years ago of second-degree murder charges in a 2004 stabbing and arson in a Harvey apartment, was convicted Friday night of a federal arson charge stemming from the same crime that killed three generations of the Carto family, including his 19-month-old daughter.

Joyce Carto, who lost her daughter, two grandchildren and a great-granddaughter in the Nov. 10, 2004, blaze...quietly sobbed.


http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2013/08/cyrus_casby_convicted_of_2004.html#incart_river_default


Sentencing will be November 21st.

Finally.

 

[SwampMama]

Bringing this up because:

Cyrus Casby convicted of 2004 arson that killed and injured 6, including his 19-month-old daughter

Cyrus Casby, the former Marrero resident who was acquitted by a Jefferson Parish jury five years ago of second-degree murder charges in a 2004 stabbing and arson in a Harvey apartment, was convicted Friday night of a federal arson charge stemming from the same crime that killed three generations of the Carto family, including his 19-month-old daughter.

Joyce Carto, who lost her daughter, two grandchildren and a great-granddaughter in the Nov. 10, 2004, blaze...quietly sobbed.


http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2013/08/cyrus_casby_convicted_of_2004.html#incart_river_default


Sentencing will be November 21st.

Finally.

OMG !! See, I read NOLAdotCOM everyday and there was nothing that I saw about this trial. Unbelievable. I am off to read the story, Thank you so much for posting!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SwampMama]

This is so amazing. I barely had time to read the news and then had to go to an already scheduled appointment. I am so happy for the justice that has finally happened.

To have a criminal like this finally convicted after previously being acquitted is an absolute miracle. I'm at a loss for words but you can bet I will have more to say as this wonderful news finally sinks in.

Thanks to everyone here who has contributed and cared and been here for me during this long journey!!

 

[SwampMama]

Oh and here is the killers support webpage for his defense with his versions of how things happened and how he was done wrong.

http://cyruscasby.webs.com/timeline

 

[MsFacetious]

I hate to nit pick... but couldn't we have it say CONVICTED in big letters?
We have been waiting for quite a while for this. :woohoo:

 

[SwampMama]

I encourage people to visit this link and read some of the comments. The brother and and uncle of the convicted killer have commented as well as one of the jurors from the original trial . The former juror says he was haunted by those horrible pics of the crime and so upset that there was no guilty verdict.
The brother comes across as well spoken and passionate about the case and seems to be a person that you can discuss things with. The problem is that we have a almost complete lack of coverage of the trial and the facts, evidence etc so it is hard for us to debate things with him when all of the evidence is locked up or ignored. I have no idea why there is such a total lack of coverage on this case. I think Jefferson parish (aka county) has failed in getting information out there for people to know about.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2013/08/cyrus_casby_convicted_of_2004.html

 

[SwampMama]

I Pm'ed Bessie (Mod) to change the title of this thread to CONVICTED/GUILTY!! What a relief to be able to type those words. To see them on the title of this thread will be such a relief.

 

[SwampMama]

Now the family of Cyrus (his brother and uncle, I believe) are actually commenting on the link ( http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2013/08/cyrus_casby_convicted_of_2004.html ) and posting comments and responding to other people's comments. The feel Cyrus is innocent and that the police beat him up and coerced or faked a confession.. A juror from the first trial ( the acquittal in 2008) is also there, speaking out about the circumstances of jurors who seemingly did not uphold their duties as jurors and just wanted to get out of there.