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After several attempts, the deputies got the driver, who was partially undressed, to exit the vehicle.

The car was dark, but apparently occupied by a driver. Charles Parish Deputies, on the same desolate stretch of road approximately one mile from where the victim's body had been discovered. Further tests placed the date of death between February 1 and February 3, 1993.Īlmost exactly one year after the victim had been reported missing, defendant was discovered in his car by two off-duty St. Although toxicology tests revealed the presence of cocaine in the victims's body, the drug was not the cause of death. Fingerprints identified the body as that of Cheryl Lewis.Īn autopsy and a toxicological examination led to the conclusion that the victim drowned however, she was alive, but unconscious, when she hit the water. The victim had been stripped naked and submerged in a canal off the side of the road. On February 21, 1993, the body of an African-American woman was found off of Highway LA 3160 in Hahnville, Louisiana. Three witnesses testified that they had seen Cheryl Lewis, prior to her disappearance, either with or in the proximity of defendant Russell Ellwood. On February 2, 1993, Cheryl Lewis was reported missing by her mother, Lillian Lewis. Defendant filed a timely motion for appeal, which was granted by the trial court. On August 17, 1999, defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. A three day trial began on June 8, 1999, which concluded in a unanimous jury finding that the defendant was guilty as charged. At that time, defendant pled not guilty to the charge of second degree murder of Cheryl Lewis.īecause of extensive pre-trial publicity, the trial court granted defendant's motion for a change of venue from St. With his attorney present, defendant was arraigned on the amended indictment on April 9, 1998. The indictment was also amended to allege that Cheryl Lewis was murdered “on or between Januand February 9, 1993”.

Approximately one year later, on March 2, 1999, the state entered a nolle prosequi as to count one of the indictment regarding Delores Mack. On April 9, 1998, defendant was arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty on both counts.

Count one charged Ellwood with the murder of Delores Mack, and count two charged Ellwood with the murder of Cheryl Lewis.

McPherson, McPherson & Schillesci, New Orleans, Louisiana, for defendant/appellant.ĭefendant, Russell Ellwood, was charged by indictment on March 23, 1998, with two violations of second degree murder in violation of LSA-R.S. Piker, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for plaintiff/appellee. Panel composed of Judges SOL GOTHARD, SUSAN M. Court of Appeal of Louisiana,Fifth Circuit.