Judgment rendered February 25, 2026. Application for rehearing may be filed within the delay allowed by Art. 922, La. C. Cr. P.
No. 56,772-KA
COURT OF APPEAL SECOND CIRCUIT STATE OF LOUISIANA
*****
STATE OF LOUISIANA Appellee
versus
JIMMY RAY COCKERHEM Appellant
Appealed from the First Judicial District Court for the Parish of Caddo, Louisiana Trial Court No. 386,449
Honorable Donald E. Hathaway, Jr., Judge
THE HARVILLE LAW FIRM, LLC Counsel for Appellant By: Douglas Lee Harville
JAMES E. STEWART, SR. Counsel for Appellee District Attorney
JASON WALTMAN Assistant District Attorney
Before PITMAN, STEPHENS, and HUNTER, JJ. PITMAN, C. J.
Defendant Jimmy Ray Cockerhem appeals his conviction for the
crime of second degree murder and his sentence of life in prison without
benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. For the following
reasons, Defendant’s conviction and sentence are affirmed.
FACTS
Defendant was indicted for the second degree murder of Gary Lee, a
violation of La. R.S. 14:30.1, which occurred on or about November 22,
2021, in Caddo Parish. Defendant’s attorney gave notice that he intended to
present evidence that Defendant shot Lee in self-defense. A jury trial was
held, at which the following evidence was adduced:
Corporal Erik Powell, of the Shreveport Police Department (“SPD”),
testified that he responded to a call about a shooting near the corner of Alda
and Willie Mays Streets. He arrived at the scene around 12:50 p.m. and saw
the body of the victim, Lee, lying on top of a blue broom handle by his
house. There was a vacant lot between Lee’s house and Willie Mays Street.
Cpl. Powell’s body camera video from that day was shown to the jury.
Cpl. Powell was shown pictures of a shovel leaning against Lee’s house, but
he could not say when the shovel had been placed there. He testified that the
shovel was not within arm’s reach of the victim.
Sebastian Gulder, crime scene technician for the SPD, photographed
the scene and identified pictures with a green rake and a shovel leaning
against a house. He also photographed the decedent’s body in front of the
house lying on top of a blue broom handle.
Amber Futch, crime scene investigator for SPD, testified that she did
not recover a shell casing or a firearm at the scene. She took a video of the scene and took measurements from the driveway of 1733 Alda (Defendant’s
home) to the driveway of 1735 Alda (Lee’s home).
Pamela Burns testified that she was picking up her grandchild from
his father’s (Arthur McCray) house at 1734 Alda, across the street from
Lee’s house, when she saw a car turn from Alda onto Willie Mays Street and
park next to a vacant lot. While she was in McCray’s driveway, she saw a
man holding a gun in his hand get out of that car and walk across the vacant
lot toward Lee. Because she saw he had a gun and her grandchild was
exiting McCray’s house, she began screaming at them to get back in the
house. McCray is wheelchair-bound and was waiting at the open door when
the child ran back into the house. Burns testified that the man with the gun
walked up to Lee and shot him. She stated that she called 911, went to a
local library and told a policeman what she had seen and then went home.
She returned to the scene at the request of the police.
Burns further testified that McCray’s house was across the street from
the victim’s house and that she saw Lee standing in his own driveway raking
leaves. She never heard any words exchanged between the two men but
stated she was in her car and would not have heard if they had been talking
to each other. She stated that the shooter approached from across the field
and that Lee never looked up before he was shot. She also stated that after
the shooting, the man with the gun walked back to his car and left.
On cross-examination, Burns stated she had a clear view of the man
with the gun as he crossed the field. She testified that she was trying to get
out of her seatbelt and was ducking at the same time but that she saw the gun
in his left hand. She described him as a light-skinned man wearing a hat
2 with a ponytail on it. She would not be able to identify his face in a lineup
without the hat and ponytail.
Corporal Adam McEntee, SPD, was a homicide detective who
responded to the scene as a secondary detective. Pursuant to his
investigation, he was able to identify Defendant as the suspect who had left
the house next door to the victim’s house. He testified that the day after the
incident, Defendant and his attorney came to the station, where Defendant
was read his Miranda warning and signed the acknowledgment form. He,
Defendant and his attorney returned to the scene on Alda along a specific
route because Defendant had stated that he had discarded the firearm in
Twelve Mile Bayou near some construction. They drove to 1700 Alda, and
the scene from Defendant’s point of view was recreated insofar as it showed
placement of people’s houses and where the body had been located.
Cpl. McEntee further stated that he had been told that a person named
Michael Wilson, who lived on Alda, claimed he had witnessed the shooting;
but, when he and other officers stopped him in the street to question him, he
denied having ever told anyone that he was a witness.1 Cpl. McEntee was
asked if Defendant told him that Lee had been brandishing the shovel at him
before the shooting, and he responded that Defendant had said so, but he did
not secure the shovel or take it into evidence. The state rested.
Defense called Robert Major Fant, who was formerly an investigator
with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office but at the time of the trial was a
licensed private investigator. He was hired to take measurements at the
1 While this seems to be an insignificant fact, Defendant has raised an issue in this appeal that is pertinent to Michael Wilson’s testimony when he was called to the stand by the defense. 3 scene on Alda, including the measurements from the driveway at 1734 Alda
to the corner of a building at 1735 Alda, from the driveway to the body
location and from a fence line to a driveway located on Willie Mays. He
drew a diagram of the measurements he took, which was shown to the jury.
Three character witnesses were called who all testified they had
known Defendant for many years. All three said he had a reputation for
peacefulness, and one said he had never been in trouble or fought with
anyone.
Michael Wilson took the stand, and Defendant’s attorney attempted to
elicit testimony from him regarding the rumor that he had told someone he
witnessed the crime. He denied having said anything to anyone about it and
stated that he did not know why he had been called to testify. In fact, he
stated he was not even in Shreveport on the day of the incident. He was
asked if he ever told Theardis Owens that he saw Lee with a shovel on the
day of the incident, and the state objected to hearsay evidence. After a
discussion at the bench, the witness was allowed to leave the stand but was
asked to wait outside. The defense attorney asked to proffer his testimony,
but no decision was made at that point in the trial. The issue of the proffer
arose again later.
Defendant took the stand to testify on his own behalf and stated that
on the day of the shooting, he began his day by going to the store for his
wife, who had just gotten out of the hospital. As he was driving down
Legardy, he saw Lee walking toward him. As he drew up beside Lee, Lee
lashed out and started making “all kinds of gestures at me” that shocked
him. He said that even after he passed, he looked in the rear view mirror and
Lee was still making gestures at him. He stated that when he returned from 4 the store, Lee was in the same place and made gestures at him again. He
could not hear Lee speaking because his windows were up, but he saw Lee’s
mouth moving, and he had a “crazed look on his face . . . like he was angry.”
He did not know why Lee was angry at him and claimed he had never done
anything to him.
Defendant further stated that he and his wife left their house to go eat,
and Lee was sitting on Lee’s porch; but when he saw them leave their house,
he ran out to the road and began acting like he was raking leaves. When
Defendant and his wife drove slowly by, Lee was just a few feet from the
driver’s side window and was acting like he was going to bash in the
window. He wondered what was wrong with Lee that day and kept driving,
but Lee continued to make angry gestures at him. He turned on to Willie
Mays Street, and then decided to stop and ask what problem Lee was having
that morning.
Defendant stated that he had his handgun in the car because it had
been left there the night before when he went to Whataburger at 1 a.m. and
that he carried it for self-protection. He said he put the 9 millimeter gun in
his pocket when he left his car because Lee had threatened him before. He
walked across the vacant lot but stopped before crossing onto Lee’s
property. He testified that Lee was not raking leaves but was waiting for
him. He said he asked Lee what his problem was, and Lee told him to leave
his property. He told Lee he was not on his property, and then Lee grabbed
the shovel that was leaning against the house behind him and approached
him with it in a very aggressive manner. He stated that was when he pulled
the gun out of his pocket.
5 Defendant testified he told Lee not to keep coming at him, but Lee
continued, and when he got to him, “he cocked back to try to hit me and I
just pulled the trigger, you know. My eyes was closed. I ain’t never been in
no situation like that before. I mean, he was fixing to hit me.” He stated
that for a split second he thought about turning around and trying to run “to
keep this stuff from happening,” but Lee was so close he thought Lee could
hit him in the head or the face with the shovel. He stated that he was not in
the best of shape and that Lee was only four or five feet away from him and
was swiftly approaching him. He stated he fired the shot because he was
afraid of Lee, who had threatened him before.
After he fired the shot, Defendant returned to his car and took his wife
to her sister’s house because he was afraid of what would happen. He
testified that he then drove to Twelve Mile Bayou and threw the gun off the
bridge because he “felt so bad about whatever I done.” He said that he and
Lee had been friends for years and that he was like a little brother to him.
He had known him since Lee was six or seven years old. Things changed
between them when Lee got out of the military. Lee made threats against
him several times and told him some day he would sneak up behind him and
“bust his head wide open.” He testified that Lee had attacked him at a store
one day and hit him with what felt like a can on the side his head. He stated
that it knocked him out for a few seconds, and when he came to, Lee was
kicking and hitting him.
On cross-examination, Defendant was shown the picture of the body
on top of the blue broom handle and was asked if it was his testimony that
after Lee fell, and Defendant left the scene, someone came and removed the
6 shovel he had supposedly been holding and replaced it with the blue broom.
He replied affirmatively.
Michael Wilson was recalled, and the defense attorney attempted to
impeach his earlier trial testimony questioning why he was even called to
testify. Defendant’s attorney wanted to ask him whether he told Theardis
Owens that he saw Lee attempt to strike Defendant with a shovel before
Defendant shot Lee. The defense attorney attempted to call Owens, but the
trial court refused to allow him to testify, even as part of a proffer.
Defendant placed his objection on the record.
Carl Wayne Theus testified that he knew Defendant and had personal
knowledge of direct threats of death or great bodily harm made by Lee
toward Defendant. He had witnessed Lee accosting Defendant, using
profanity and yelling. However, there were never any physical attacks.
Stanford Waites and Bertha Lee Morris, Defendant’s sister-in-law,
and Ora Lee Cockerhem Bedford, Defendant’s sister, testified that Lee had a
reputation for violent behavior.
Calvin Cockerhem, Defendant’s brother, testified that he had known
Lee his whole life. He stated that although Lee was peaceful in his earlier
life, after he came home from the military, his entire attitude changed toward
him and his family and that the Cockerhems could not even go outside or he
would “pop off.” He witnessed Lee threatening them at the edge of the
driveway several times, throwing gang signs, daring them to walk to the
edge of the driveway and telling them what he would do if they did. He
stated that they called the police a few times, and Lee was arrested once after
fighting with the police. He stated that he had seen Lee walking around the
yard holding a pipe in a threatening manner toward Defendant. 7 A unanimous jury found Defendant guilty of second degree murder.
Sentencing was held on November 12, 2024. The trial court listed
aggravating and mitigating factors and stated that the mitigating factor was
that Defendant had no history of prior delinquency or criminal activity
except a simple battery 20 years prior to the instant crime. Defendant was
66 years old and had a high school education, was employed and owned his
own business for many years. The trial court sentenced him to life in prison
without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence and informed
him of his right to appeal and to post-conviction relief.
A motion to reconsider sentence was filed and denied. This appeal
followed.
DISCUSSION
Sufficiency of the evidence
Defendant argues that the state failed to carry its burden of proof that
he did not shoot Lee in self-defense. He contends that a homicide is
justifiable when committed in self-defense by one who reasonably believes
that he is in imminent danger of losing his life or receiving great bodily
harm and that the killing is necessary to save himself from that danger. He
argues that he and Lee have had a one-sided contentious relationship for
many years, that Lee threatened his life on many occasions and that Lee
committed physical violence upon him at least once. Defendant claims he
reasonably acted to defend himself when Lee approached him so
aggressively and at such close range. Defendant contends that the state did
not present the proof necessary to counter his testimony of the event, despite
the testimony of Pamela Burns. Defendant also argues that he was not
8 acting with criminal intent and any reasonable juror could have found that
the facts established a reasonable hypothesis of innocence.
The state notes that it has the burden of proof to show Defendant did
not act in self-defense when he walked across a vacant lot and shot the
victim, left the scene and then threw the gun in the bayou. It contends that
Pamela Burns, the only eyewitness to the crime, testified that she saw
Defendant stop his car, walk across the field with the gun in his hand and
shoot the victim in the head. Nothing in her testimony indicated the action
taken was in self-defense.
The state also argues that the evidence shows that Defendant was the
aggressor in this case and that he has no right to claim self-defense. He was
the person who brought the deadly weapon into a conflict of his own
making, and he never withdrew from it in such a manner that his adversary
knew or should have known that he wanted to withdraw and discontinue
conflict.
The standard of appellate review for a sufficiency of the evidence
claim is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to
the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential
elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v.
Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979); State v.
Tate, 01-1658 (La. 5/20/03), 851 So. 2d 921, cert. denied, 541 U.S. 905, 124
S. Ct. 1604, 158 L. Ed. 2d 248 (2004). This standard, now codified in La. C.
Cr. P. art. 821, does not afford the appellate court with a means to substitute
its own appreciation of the evidence for that of the fact finder. State v.
Pigford, 05-0477 (La. 2/22/06), 922 So. 2d 517; State v. Johnson, 55,254
(La. App. 2 Cir. 8/9/23), 370 So. 3d 91. 9 Appellate courts neither assess the credibility of witnesses nor
reweigh evidence. State v. Smith, 94-3116 (La. 10/16/95), 661 So. 2d 442.
Rather, the reviewing court affords great deference to the jury’s decision to
accept or reject the testimony of a witness in whole or in part. State v.
Gilliam, 36,118 (La. App. 2 Cir. 8/30/02), 827 So. 2d 508, writ denied,
02-3090 (La. 11/14/03), 858 So. 2d 422. Where there is conflicting
testimony concerning factual matters, the resolution of which depends upon
a determination of the credibility of the witnesses, the matter is one of the
weight of the evidence, not its sufficiency. State v. Allen, 36,180 (La. App.
2 Cir. 9/18/02), 828 So. 2d 622, writ denied, 02-2595 (La. 3/28/03),
840 So. 2d 566, writ denied, 02-2997 (La. 6/27/03), 847 So. 2d 1255, cert
denied, 540 U.S. 1185, 124 S. Ct. 1404, 158 L. Ed 2d 90 (2004).
When a defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence in a self-
defense case involving a homicide, the question becomes whether, viewing
the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier
of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the homicide was
not committed in self-defense. State v. Parks, 56,382 (La. App. 2 Cir.
8/27/25), 419 So. 3d 404. A homicide is justifiable when committed in self-
defense by one who reasonably believes that he is in imminent danger of
losing his life or receiving great bodily harm and that the killing is necessary
to save himself from that danger or when committed for the purpose of
preventing a violent or forcible felony involving danger to life or of great
bodily harm by one who reasonably believes that such an offense is about to
be committed and that such action is necessary for its prevention. La.
R.S. 14:20 (A)(1) and (2). The circumstances must be sufficient to excite
the fear of a reasonable person that there would be serious danger to his own 10 life or person if he attempted to prevent the felony without the killing. La.
R.S. 14:20(A)(2). A person who is the aggressor or who brings on a
difficulty cannot claim the right of self-defense unless he withdraws from
the conflict in good faith and in such a manner that his adversary knows or
should know that he desires to withdraw and discontinue the conflict. La.
R.S. 14:21.
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution,
we find that any rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable
doubt that this homicide was not committed in self-defense. The only
eyewitness to this event, Pamela Burns, testified that she was across the
street and that she saw Defendant stop his car, get out with a gun and walk
across the field with the gun in his hand and shoot the victim without any
provocation on the victim’s part. She did not see any brandishing of a
shovel or any other implement before Defendant shot the victim and he fell.
There was nothing in her testimony to indicate Defendant was in an
immediate threat of danger; and, in fact, he was the one who was the
aggressor in the incident and showed no signs of retreating from the alleged
danger he felt he was facing.
For these reasons, we find the state proved to a reasonable jury that
this act was not committed in self-defense, and this assignment of error is
without merit.
Proffer of Evidence
Defendant argues that the trial court prevented him from exercising
his right to cross-examine a witness when it prohibited him from introducing
testimony that Michael Wilson, contrary to his trial testimony, told Theardis
Owens that Wilson saw Lee attempt to strike Defendant with a shovel before 11 Defendant shot Lee. The defense attorney attempted to call Owens, but the
trial court refused to allow him to testify, even as part of a proffer. Thus,
Defendant argues that this error prevented him from exercising his
fundamental right to present a complete defense through cross-examination
of Wilson.
The state argues that the trial court did not err when it refused
Defendant’s request to proffer Owens’s testimony to impeach Wilson’s
alleged prior inconsistent statements. The trial court ruled that Owens’s
testimony could not be offered for the truth of the matter as the defense
hoped to do.
The state contends that this case does not involve the right of
confrontation or meaningful cross-examination because Wilson was not
called by the state in its case in chief. He was called by Defendant and was
subject to direct examination by him, not cross-examination. The alleged
inconsistent statement was only corroborated by Defendant’s self-serving
testimony and not by an independent witness. The state argues that this
issue is subject to harmless error analysis, and the overwhelming evidence of
guilt in this case renders any error in this regard harmless.
“Hearsay” is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while
testifying at the present trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the
truth of the matter asserted. La. C.E. art. 801(C).
La. C.E. art. 607 concerns attacking and supporting credibility
generally and La. C.E. art. 607(D)(2) concerns attacking credibility
extrinsically and states:
Other extrinsic evidence, including prior inconsistent statements and evidence contradicting the witness’ testimony, is admissible when offered solely to attack the credibility of a 12 witness unless the court determines that the probative value of the evidence on the issue of credibility is substantially outweighed by the risks of undue consumption of time, confusion of the issues, or unfair prejudice.
In this case, the original alleged declarant, Wilson, was a defense
witness. Instead of supporting Defendant’s claim that he had witnessed the
incident, he denied being in Shreveport that day. He also denied having said
anything about it to Owens. Owens was also not present at the scene of the
murder. The only evidence he could possibly have given was that Wilson
made a hearsay statement to him. Thus, the only use for Owens’s testimony
would be for impeachment of Wilson’s testimony, i.e., as evidence on the
issue of credibility.
Based on La. C.E. art. 607(D)(2), impeachment is subject to the trial
court determining that the probative value of the evidence on the issue of
credibility is substantially outweighed by the risks of undue consumption of
time, confusion of the issues or unfair prejudice. In this case, the trial court
found that Defendant was attempting to proffer Owens’s testimony to prove
the truth of the matter that Lee was brandishing a shovel at Defendant at the
time of the murder. The information could not be used to prove the truth of
the matter. Thus, the trial court did not err in refusing the proffer of
Owens’s testimony, and this assignment of error is without merit.
Excessive Sentence
Defendant contends his sentence to life in prison without benefit of
parole, probation or suspension of sentence is constitutionally excessive and
is subject to review. He argues that the evidence showed that he led an
exemplary life prior to the shooting and that he is exceptional among those
convicted of murder. He argues that he was known as someone who abided
13 by the law; was known for his peacefulness, community support, and family
support; and had a history of working as an employee and an employer. He
admits his conduct in this matter was serious, but claims it was an
aberration; and, as such, he is a victim of the legislature’s failure to allow the
trial court to fashion a sentence that is meaningfully tailored to his
circumstance. He contends that character and reference letters as well as
medical records to the trial court prove that a lesser sentence would be
sufficient punishment.
The state argues that the sentence for second degree murder is life in
prison without the possibility of parole, probation or suspension of sentence,
and that the trial court correctly examined all factors necessary before
finding the mandatory sentence appropriate.
An appellate court utilizes a two-pronged test in reviewing a sentence
for excessiveness. State v. Ivory, 54,886 (La. App. 2 Cir. 1/11/23),
355 So. 3d 1157, writ denied, 23-00275 (La. 1/10/24), 376 So. 3d 132. First,
the record must show that the trial court complied with La. C. Cr. P. art.
894.1. State v. Smith, 433 So. 2d 688 (La. 1983); Ivory, supra. Second, the
court must determine whether the sentence is constitutionally excessive. A
sentence violates La. Const. art. I, § 20, if it is grossly out of proportion to
the seriousness of the offense or nothing more than a purposeless and
needless infliction of pain and suffering. State v. Smith, 01-2574 (La.
1/14/03), 839 So. 2d 1, citing State v. Bonanno, 384 So. 2d 355 (La. 1980).
Where there is a mandatory sentence, there is no need for the trial
court to justify, under La. C. Cr. P. art. 894.1, a sentence it is legally
required to impose. Ivory, supra. The mandatory sentence for second
degree murder is punishment by life imprisonment at hard labor without the 14 benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. La. R.S. 14:30.1(B).
Louisiana appellate courts have repeatedly rejected the argument that the
mandatory life sentence for second degree murder is a violation of the
prohibition against excessive punishment in the Louisiana Constitution.
State v. Parker, 416 So. 2d 545 (La. 1982); Ivory, supra.
To rebut the presumption that the mandatory minimum sentence is
constitutional, a defendant must clearly and convincingly show that he is
exceptional, which means that because of unusual circumstances he is a
victim of the legislature’s failure to assign sentences that are meaningfully
tailored to the culpability of the offender, the gravity of the offense and the
circumstances of the case. State v. Johnson, 97-1906 (La. 3/4/98),
709 So. 2d 672; Ivory, supra.
The mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for a conviction of
second degree murder is presumed to be constitutional, and Defendant failed
to demonstrate that he is an “exceptional” defendant for whom a downward
departure from the statutory minimum sentence is required. The judge who
sentenced Defendant also heard the evidence at trial, considered all the
pertinent factors, including aggravating and mitigating ones, and did not
conclude that a downward deviation from the mandatory sentence was
warranted.
The trial court cited La. C. Cr. P. art. 894.1(A) and found many
applicable factors. Aggravating factors included that the commission of the
crime manifested deliberate cruelty, that he used threats and actual violence
in the commission of the crime resulting in permanent injury and that he
used a dangerous weapon in the commission of the crime. The one
mitigating circumstance was that Defendant led a law-abiding life for a 15 substantial time before the homicide. The trial court reviewed Defendant’s
education, family and employment history and noted that he was 66 years
old. The trial court found the mandatory sentence was appropriate.
Based on the foregoing, we find the sentence of life in prison without
benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence to be appropriate. For
these reasons, this assignment of error is without merit.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Defendant’s, Jimmy Ray Cockerhem,
conviction of second degree murder and his sentence of life in prison
without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence are affirmed.
AFFIRMED.