By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

EDGARD — Guilty.

Friday rendered the verdict to Errol Victor Sr. and Tonya Victor, who were on trial for the second-degree murder of 8-year-old-victim M.L. Lloyd III.

Lloyd, Tonya’s son and Errol’s stepson, was pronounced dead at River Parishes Hospital on April 1, 2008.

Errol was found guilty of second-degree murder. Tonya was found guilty of manslaughter.

Authorities said Lloyd was severely whipped and beaten before being taken to the hospital six years ago. The Victors, who were arrested shortly after Lloyd was brought to the hospital, had vehemently denied the accusations and have maintained their innocence, saying the child died as a result of a severe asthma attack.

Louisiana Attorney General’s Office representative Julie Cullen served as the case’s prosecutor.

A week-plus long trial was full of conflicting testimonies by stepbrothers, gruesome details of abuse and postmortem photos of 8-year-old-victim M.L. Lloyd III.

The Victors represented themselves in 40th Judicial District Court in Edgard.

During court proceedings, Errol Victor maintained Lloyd was disciplined on the day he died, but said the child’s death did not result from the reprimand.

The couple drew national attention in August 2011 when they failed to show up for a scheduled court appearance prior to their trial. Both were free on bond.

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.

The couple was featured on TV’s America’s Most Wanted, and authorities announced the Victors were arrested shortly after being profiled April 14, 2012.

Tipsters in Tifton, Ga., called the show hotline with information regarding the couple’s whereabouts.