NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office announced convictions in a domestic violence murder and the murder of a pregnant mother and her unborn child Wednesday, Sept. 23.
According to the OPDA’s office, on July 1, 2023, Johnshane Powell reported that Kelvin Atkins assaulted her and stole her firearm. Two days later, Atkins shot her 19 times in the 2400 block of New Orleans Street. Powell left behind two girls.
OPDA officials said investigators assembled surveillance footage, cellphone records and witness accounts that contradicted Atkins’ claim that he had been in Slidell that night. An officer’s body-camera footage preserved Powell’s final words which named Atkins as the shooter. On Sept. 18, following a retrial, Atkins was found guilty of second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
New veteran’s healthcare facility to be built in New Orleans East
Atkins’ sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 6…