L’Observateur

LAPLACE – More than three months after they were no-shows for trial, the search continues for a Reserve couple accused of killing their 8-year-old son, the lead prosecutor said Monday.

Julie Cullen, a special assistant state attorney general, said multiple agencies on state and federal levels are “still very active” in their search for Errol and Tonya Victor. They are accused of killing 8-year-old M.L. Lloyd III, who is Tonya Victor’s son and Errol Victor Sr.’s stepson. The boy was pronounced dead after the Victors brought him to the River Parishes Hospital emergency room in April 2008.

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The couple has been on the run since August, when they failed to show up for a scheduled court appearance prior to their trial. Both were free on bond. Cullen said multiple agencies are involved in the search for the Victors, but she would not comment on who is a part of the search.

“I think it is in the best interest of the case that I not reveal who is involved, especially considering the way information has leaked out throughout the proceedings,” Cullen said.

Capt. Dane Clement, spokesperson for the St. John Sheriff’s Office, said detectives from the Sheriff’s Office are aiding in the search along with members of the U.S. Marshals. He said the couple is known to be somewhere out of state.

Cullen said it is not the first time a defendant has made attempts to jump bail and escape trial but added it is unique that the Victors made their move on the day of the trial.

“It is certainly unusual,” Cullen said. “It is not very often to see someone skip out this close to trial.”

Cullen said there are specific time periods the law allows for a case to be brought to trial, but those rules are relaxed when it comes to defendants who jump bail for as long as the Victors have. She said there could be additional charges filed down the road depending on how long the couple is on the run.

“The search will carry on until they are tracked down,” Cullen said.

The Victors are accused of second-degree murder in Lloyd’s death. Authorities say Lloyd had been severely whipped and beaten before being taken to the hospital. The Victors, who were arrested shortly after Lloyd was brought to the hospital, have vehemently denied the accusations and have maintained their innocence, saying the child died as a result of a severe asthma attack.

Authorities from the Sheriff’s Office made several attempts to locate and apprehend the Victors prior to the scheduled court date, including speaking to family members and searching the couple’s Reserve home on East 22nd Street. Any leads on the couple’s whereabouts have been unfounded.

During the August court hearing, Lionel Lon Burns, the Victors’ attorney, said the only communication he had received from his clients was a “rambling” message regarding the hearing and upcoming trial. Burns said he had received no further contact from his clients.

Even getting to this point has been somewhat of a roller-coaster ride for those involved in the case. Since the start of legal proceedings in the case against the Victors, Errol Victor Sr. has alleged numerous injustices by the court system all while maintaining his and his wife’s innocence. The couple has been indicted on three separate occasions, the St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s office has been recused from the case, and the judge hearing the case has also changed from Judge Madeline Jasmine to Judge Mary Hotard Becnel. A gag order has also been issued barring attorneys from commenting to the media on the court proceedings.

The Victors have also hired and fired numerous defense attorneys, including their current attorney, Burns. Both Burns and the Victors had recently sought to end his job as counsel in the case, but Becnel refused to allow it.

If convicted of second-degree murder, the Victors would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without probation, parole or suspension of sentence.