By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – An eighth LaPlace man was arrested Monday by the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office in connection with the Nov. 6 murder of 22-year-old Jerry Butler.

Keith R. Craig, 21, of 1800 Tiffany Drive, LaPlace surrendered to authorities after learning there was a warrant for his arrest. He was charged with principal to first-degree murder.

“Craig was responsible for participating in the beating of Butler,” said Sgt. Dane Clement. “The warrant was sought based on statements provided by other defendants.”

In Nov. 2004, Maj. Robert Hay, Chief of the Bureau of Investigations Division, said the detective work for his department was far from over. In November, Hay said detectives were searching for two additional suspects believed to be involved in the execution-style killing.

Joseph Campbell, Dauren Howard, Denyen Gaines, Frank Wiliamson, Kevin Campbell, Ryan Triche and Quentin Lewis were arrested by authorities in November 2004 for allegedly taking part in the first-degree murder of Butler. They remain in the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility.

Joseph Campbell was arrested on Nov. 23. Howard, Gaines, Williamson, Kevin Campbell and Triche were arrested on Nov. 18 and Lewis was arrested on Nov. 19.