GUILTY LA - Levi Cole Ellerbe, 6 mos, kidnapped, burned to death, Natchitoches, 17 Jul 2018 *arrests*

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Thursday, August 12th:
*Motions Hearing (@ am ET) – LA – Levi Cole Ellerbe (6 mos.) (July 17, 2018, Natchitoches; died July 18, 2018; kidnapped & burned to death) – *Hanna Nicole Barker (22/now 24) “mom” arrested (7/25/18), charged (7/28/18) & indicted (8/9/18) with 1st degree murder, meaning “actual perpetrator of the crime” & with 1 count of criminal conspiracy and arraigned & charged (7/15/21) with conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder of a child younger than 12. Plead not guilty to this charge (7/15/21). Plead not guilty (charges on 7/28/18). Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial set to begin on 9/27/21. Jury will be picked from St. Landry Parish, but will be tried in Natchitoches Parish.
10/22/20 Trial Day 1: Again no info on this trial. Trial was cancelled. 5/11/21 Update: Motions hearing on 7/15/21. 7/15/21 Update: Barker was arraigned Thursday on an additional charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder of a child younger than 12. Barker pleaded not guilty to the new charge, letting attorney Dru Thompson answer for her. The rest of the hearing was spent setting dates for future hearings. On 8/12/21, motions not related to the death penalty part of the case are scheduled to be heard. Motions related to the death penalty are scheduled for Aug. 17. Barker's trial remains set for Sept. 27. Jury selection should begin that day with potential jurors brought in from St. Landry Parish.
*Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith – Plead guilty (7/21/21) & sentencing hearing on 10/27/21.
 
Hanna Barker has trial in death of son Levi Ellerbe moved to April 2022

August 13, 2021

The trial of a mother accused in the burning death of her infant son has been bumped into 2022 because of COVID-19 concerns.

Hanna Nicole Barker will face trial on charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder of a child younger than 12 on April 25.

The trial was set for September. On Thursday, her attorney Dru Thompson made a motion to continue, citing the fourth wave of COVID-19. He said the spike causing cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the state to climb has prevent him from visiting Barker in jail to prepare for trial.
[.....]
Smith pleaded guilty on July 21 to charges of manslaughter, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile that could send her to prison for life. She could testify against Barker as part of the deal.

Smith's sentencing date was set for October [10/27/21], which would have been after Barker's trial. It's not known yet if Smith's sentencing date has been rescheduled.

An Aug. 17 hearing date for Barker was moved to Jan. 19. Other motions are set to be heard on Sept. 9. A pretrial hearing will be held on March 7.
 
Thursday, Sept. 9th:
*Motions Hearing (@ am ET) – LA – Levi Cole Ellerbe (6 mos.) (July 17, 2018, Natchitoches; died July 18, 2018; kidnapped & burned to death) – *Hanna Nicole Barker (22/now 25) “mom” arrested (7/25/18), charged (7/28/18) & indicted (8/9/18) with 1st degree murder, meaning “actual perpetrator of the crime” & with 1 count of criminal conspiracy and arraigned & charged (7/15/21) with conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder of a child younger than 12. Plead not guilty to this charge (7/15/21). Plead not guilty (charges on 7/28/18). Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial was set to begin on 9/27/21 continued due to COVID to 4/25/22. Jury will be picked from St. Landry Parish, but will be tried in Natchitoches Parish.
Court info from 10/22/20 thru 5/11/21 reference post #561 here:
LA - Levi Cole Ellerbe, 6 mos, kidnapped, burned to death, Natchitoches, 17 Jul 2018 *arrests*
7/15/21 Update: Barker was arraigned Thursday on an additional charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder of a child younger than 12. Barker pleaded not guilty to the new charge, letting attorney Dru Thompson answer for her. The rest of the hearing was spent setting dates for future hearings. On 8/12/21, motions not related to the death penalty part of the case are scheduled to be heard. Motions related to the death penalty are scheduled for Aug. 17. Barker's trial remains set for Sept. 27. Jury selection should begin that day with potential jurors brought in from St. Landry Parish. 8/12/21 Update: Next motions hearing related to the death penalty on 8/17/21.
8/12/21 Update: Trial has been continued due to COVID to 4/25/22. The motions hearing on 8/17/21 has been moved to 1/19/22. Next Motions hearing on 9/9/21 & pretrial hearing on 3/7/22.
*Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith – Plead guilty (7/21/21) & sentencing hearing on 10/27/21. May be changed because of delay in Barker’s trial. Smith will testify at trial as part of peal deal.
 
Wednesday, October 27th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ am ET) – LA – Levi Cole Ellerbe (6 mos.) (July 17, 2018, Natchitoches; died July 18, 2018; kidnapped & burned to death) – for *Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith (25/now 28) arrested & charged (7/21/18), indicted (8/30/18) & arraigned (1/24/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & charged (1/24/19) with criminal conspiracy. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial set to begin on 1/19/21 was cancelled due to COVID.
Court info from 7/25/18 thru 12/16/19 reference post #545 here:
LA - Levi Cole Ellerbe, 6 mos, kidnapped, burned to death, Natchitoches, 17 Jul 2018 *arrests*
3/10/20 Update: The defense worked to obtain DNA data from the state crime lab. Judge Desiree Duhon Dyess had signed a subpoena for the evidence, but it hasn't been turned over. Asst. DA Cliff Strider withdrew a motion for change of venue after the defense opposed it. Trial has been set for 1/19/21. 1/11/21: Because of the public health emergency the Louisiana Supreme Court has imposed an immediate statewide moratorium on jury trials until 3/2/21.
7/21/21 Update: Smith plead guilty Wednesday afternoon to an amended bill of information that charged her with manslaughter, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder & cruelty to a juvenile. She will receive 40 years at hard labor without the benefit of probation or suspension of sentence for manslaughter, 30 years at hard labor for conspiracy & 10 years at hard labor for cruelty to a juvenile. The sentences will be served consecutively, meaning she'll be sent to prison for 80 years. Smith will be formally sentenced on 10/27/21. Will testify in Barker’s trial per plea agreement.
*Hanna Nicole Barker (22/now 25) “mom”- Motions hearing on 1/19/22, pretrial hearing on 3/7/22 & trial was set to begin in 4/25/22.
 
@Niner Postponed again until after Barker's trial.

........The sentencing date for a Natchitoches woman who killed her girlfriend’s son by setting him on fire will be rescheduled.

Felecia Marie-Nicole Smith, 28, was set to be sentenced Wednesday in Natchitoches District Court. However, the district judge recently signed a motion continuing the sentencing date until after the trial of her ex-girlfriend, Hanna Barker, 25, the mother of Levi Cole Ellerbe, the 6-month-old infant the two are accused of killing in 2018.

Sentencing date for Natchitoches child killer postponed
 
Thank you @Allabouttrial - much appreciated!
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Wednesday, January 19th:
*Motions Hearing (@ am ET) – LA – Levi Cole Ellerbe (6 mos.) (July 17, 2018, Natchitoches; died July 18, 2018; kidnapped & burned to death) – *Hanna Nicole Barker (22/now 25) “mom” arrested (7/25/18), charged (7/28/18) & indicted (8/9/18) with 1st degree murder, meaning “actual perpetrator of the crime” & with 1 count of criminal conspiracy and arraigned & charged (7/15/21) with conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder of a child younger than 12. Plead not guilty to this charge (7/15/21). Plead not guilty (charges on 7/28/18). Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial set to begin on 4/25/22. Jury will be picked from St. Landry Parish, but will be tried in Natchitoches Parish.
Court info from 10/22/20 thru 8/12/21 reference post #563 here:
LA - Levi Cole Ellerbe, 6 mos, kidnapped, burned to death, Natchitoches, 17 Jul 2018 *arrests*
8/12/21 Update: Trial has been continued due to COVID to 4/25/22. The motions hearing on 8/17/21 has been moved to 1/19/22. Next Motions hearing on 9/9/21 & pretrial hearing on 3/7/22.
9/9/21 Update: On Thursday, a hearing was held in 10th Judicial District Court Judge Desiree Duhon Dyess's courtroom on multiple motions filed by Barker's defense attorney, Dru Thompson. During the hearing, Natchitoches Police Department lieutenant Jeff Townsend testified that another person had been with Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith when she took Levi & that there are no telephone calls or texts between Smith & Barker or witness accounts about what the state calls the conspiracy to kill the baby. Lt. Jeff Townsend was the sole witness to testify for the ultimately unsuccessful defense motion seeking a bond reduction on the conspiracy charge, on which Barker was arraigned in July. Two motions about documents for the defense were granted after a brief discussion. Another motion was continued until Jan. 19. At that hearing, the state plans to ask for Barker's past drug convictions to be used during her April 25 trial.
*Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith – Plead guilty (7/21/21) to 1 count of manslaughter with a sentence of 40 years; 1 count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder with a sentence of 30 years; and 1 count of cruelty to a juvenile under the age of 8 with a sentence of 10 years, for a total of 80 years. Sentencing hearing on 10/27/21 was continued until after Barker’s trial. Smith will have to testify at trial as part of plea deal.
 
Any news on the motions hearing from yesterday - maybe a bit too soon to ask, eh? I'm not getting any new articles over here.

TIA if you find anything! :)
 
A short hearing on three defense motions moved Hanna Barker closer to her April 25 trial in the 2018 burning death of her 6-month-old son, Levi Cole Ellerbe.
...
Smith pleaded guilty in July 2021 to charges of manslaughter, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile. She could testify against Barker during the trial and is expected to be sentenced after that trial.
Hearing brings mom Hanna Barker closer to trial in death of son Levi Cole Ellerbe

Various motions are addressed in the article. More motions will be heard at a pretrial hearing on March 7.
 
MsMarple said:
A short hearing on three defense motions moved Hanna Barker closer to her April 25 trial in the 2018 burning death of her 6-month-old son, Levi Cole Ellerbe.
...
Smith pleaded guilty in July 2021 to charges of manslaughter, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile. She could testify against Barker during the trial and is expected to be sentenced after that trial.
Hearing brings mom Hanna Barker closer to trial in death of son Levi Cole Ellerbe

Various motions are addressed in the article. More motions will be heard at a pretrial hearing on March 7.
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch!
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I'll check out the article!
 
Monday, March 7th:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 1pm ET) – LA – Levi Cole Ellerbe (6 mos.) (July 17, 2018, Natchitoches; died July 18, 2018; kidnapped & burned to death) – *Hanna Nicole Barker (22/now 25) “mom” arrested (7/25/18), charged (7/28/18) & indicted (8/9/18) with 1st degree murder, meaning “actual perpetrator of the crime” & with 1 count of criminal conspiracy and arraigned & charged (7/15/21) with conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder of a child younger than 12. Plead not guilty to this charge (7/15/21). Plead not guilty (charges on 7/28/18). Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial set to begin on 4/25/22. Jury will be picked from St. Landry Parish, but will be tried in Natchitoches Parish.
Court info from 10/22/20 thru 8/12/21 reference post #569 here:
LA - Levi Cole Ellerbe, 6 mos, kidnapped, burned to death, Natchitoches, 17 Jul 2018 *arrests*
9/9/21 Update: On Thursday, a hearing was held in 10th Judicial District Court Judge Desiree Duhon Dyess' courtroom on multiple motions filed by Barker's defense attorney, Dru Thompson. During the hearing, Natchitoches Police Department lieutenant Jeff Townsend testified that another person had been with Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith when she took Levi & that there are no telephone calls or texts between Smith & Barker or witness accounts about what the state calls the conspiracy to kill the baby. Lt. Jeff Townsend was the sole witness to testify for the ultimately unsuccessful defense motion seeking a bond reduction on the conspiracy charge, on which Barker was arraigned in July. Two motions about documents for the defense were granted after a brief discussion. Another motion was continued until 1/19/22. At that hearing, the state plans to ask for Barker's past drug convictions to be used during her April 25 trial.
1/19/22 Update: A short hearing on three defense motions moved Hanna Barker closer to her April 25 trial. In response to two motions that sought information on the victim, Natchitoches Parish Assistant DA Cliff Strider pointed out Levi's age S that "the state has no evidence to show he was of bad character." Barker's attorney, Dru Thompson, told 10th Judicial District Court Judge Desiree Duhon Dyess he agreed, acknowledging Levi's age. He said his motions were intended to protect the record in the case. Another motion dealt with what might happen in the penalty phase, if the matter got that far, said Strider. He told Dyess that the State has two people willing to testify during the penalty phase & that their statements have been turned over to the court. Strider did say there is one person — Levi's father — who has not decided on whether to testify. If the father does decide to testify, Strider said his statement also would be submitted to the court. The last defense motion sought a hearing on the evidence in the case, known as a Bill of Particulars, because of the amended indictment against Barker that added the conspiracy charge. Strider said the State was relying on the same arguments as the last time a Bill of Particulars was filed. He said Barker is not entitled to a hearing since an indictment had been filed. The motion was not granted. More motions are set to be heard at a pretrial hearing on 3/7/22.
*Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith – Plead guilty (7/21/21) to 1 count of manslaughter with a sentence of 40 years; 1 count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder with a sentence of 30 years; and 1 count of cruelty to a juvenile under the age of 8 with a sentence of 10 years, for a total of 80 years. Sentencing hearing on 10/27/21 was continued until after Barker’s trial. Smith will have to testify at trial as part of plea deal.
 
Tuesday, April 12th:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 1pm ET) – LA – Levi Cole Ellerbe (6 mos.) (July 17, 2018, Natchitoches; died July 18, 2018; kidnapped & burned to death) – *Hanna Nicole Barker (22/now 26) “mom” arrested (7/25/18), charged (7/28/18) & indicted (8/9/18) with 1st degree murder, meaning “actual perpetrator of the crime” & with 1 count of criminal conspiracy and arraigned & charged (7/15/21) with conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder of a child younger than 12. Plead not guilty to this charge (7/15/21). Plead not guilty (charges on 7/28/18). Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial was set to begin on 4/25/22 continued to 6/6/22. Jury will be picked from Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish, but will be tried in Natchitoches Parish.
Court info from 10/22/20 thru 9/9/21 reference post #573 here:
LA - Levi Cole Ellerbe, 6 mos, kidnapped, burned to death, Natchitoches, 17 Jul 2018 *arrests*
1/19/22 Update: A short hearing on three defense motions moved Hanna Barker closer to her April 25 trial. In response to two motions that sought information on the victim, Natchitoches Parish Assistant DA Cliff Strider pointed out Levi's age S that "the state has no evidence to show he was of bad character." Barker's attorney, Dru Thompson, told 10th Judicial District Court Judge Desiree Duhon Dyess he agreed, acknowledging Levi's age. He said his motions were intended to protect the record in the case. Another motion dealt with what might happen in the penalty phase, if the matter got that far, said Strider. He told Dyess that the State has two people willing to testify during the penalty phase & that their statements have been turned over to the court. Strider did say there is one person — Levi's father — who has not decided on whether to testify. If the father does decide to testify, Strider said his statement also would be submitted to the court. The last defense motion sought a hearing on the evidence in the case, known as a Bill of Particulars, because of the amended indictment against Barker that added the conspiracy charge. Strider said the State was relying on the same arguments as the last time a Bill of Particulars was filed. He said Barker is not entitled to a hearing since an indictment had been filed. The motion was not granted. More motions are set to be heard at a pretrial hearing on 3/7/22.
3/7/22 Update: The State agreed to a joint motion for another change of venue for jury selection. Both parties agreed to move jury selection from St. Landry Parish to Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish, with a trial start date of 6/6/22. The court also took up three motions filed. The defense agreed to meet with State prosecutors on 3/30/22 to review a motion of access to physical evidence. They also took up a motion for a request of Payne material, with statements provided to the defense. That motion deals with the potential death penalty sentence Barker could receive if convicted. The last motion submitted by the defense was a response of notice of other crimes of evidence, regarding the State’s plans to request the admittance of Barker’s past drug convictions during the trial. The defense had no objection to that request, with defense attorney Dhu Thompson saying the drug convictions will also play a role in their case. The next hearing is set for 4/12/22 at 1pm at the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse. Judge Desiree Duhon Dyess is presiding over the case. Barker is represented by Thompson, with Cliff Strider acting as lead prosecutor.
*Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith – Plead guilty (7/21/21) to 1 count of manslaughter with a sentence of 40 years; 1 count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder with a sentence of 30 years; and 1 count of cruelty to a juvenile under the age of 8 with a sentence of 10 years, for a total of 80 years. Sentencing hearing on 10/27/21 was continued until after Barker’s trial. Smith will have to testify at trial as part of plea deal.
 
Info. from yesterday's pre-trial motion hearing.

4 motions granted in Hanna Barker case, including use of police body cam video in trial

.......
Natchitoches Parish Assistant District Attorney Cliff Strider and District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington were in Dyess' courtroom Tuesday to present the motions in limine, which asks a judge to allow or not allow certain evidence to be introduced during a trial.

The motions covered mentioning confessions in opening statements, using cellphone records, recalling witnesses for more questioning and declaring body camera video from the Natchitoches Police Department admissible.

As each motion was discussed, defense attorney J. Dhu Thompson voiced no objections and told 10th Judicial District Court Judge Desiree Duhon Dyess he planned to use some of the same material in his defense of Barker.

"We want those cameras to come in, in their entirety," he said of the motion to find the body camera video admissible.

Dyess granted all the motions.

Thompson also told Dyess that he and Strider met in Baton Rouge to review all the physical evidence in the case, which he said satisfied another of his motions.

(@Niner) Another pretrial hearing was set for May 4 at 10 a.m.
.......
 
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