Posted on 11/30/2022 11:03:26 AM PST by robowombat
Man accused in Covington burned bodies case has violent criminal history
WDSUUpdated: 7:24 AM CST Nov 30, 2022
Aubry Killion
COVINGTON, La. — A man arrested and accused in a double homicide in Covington where two bodies were found burned beyond recognition has a violent criminal history.
The bodies were found Monday morning in the 500 block of East Gibson Street. Antonio Tyson was arrested shortly after.
One of the victims has been identified as Father Otis Young, 71, according to James Hartman, St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office spokesman.
It has been reported that Father Young died from blunt and sharp trauma, and the death is classified as a homicide.
The identity of the second victim has not been identified at this time. However, according to Covington police, Father Otis Young's associate, Ruth Prats, is missing at this time.
Tyson was recently released from Rayburn Correctional Facility prison after pleading guilty in 1993 to one count of forcible rape, one count of armed robbery, and one count of burglary. He was sentenced to 40 years and served 30 years.
Tyson was arrested on Monday and booked with first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, obstruction of justice, resisting an officer, and illegally possessing stolen items.
He had his initial appearance in court Tuesday morning, where he was held without bond.
The Covington Police chief said officers are looking to determine if Tyson worked for Prats as a landscaper.
According to the Archdiocese, Tyson did not work at any churches or schools.
Police believe they are getting closer to determining a motive.
WWL+
ELECTION RESULTS
RADAR
HURRICANE CENTER
GAS PRICES
YOUTUBE
APP
LINKS
COVID-19
MORNINGS
INVESTIGATIONS
FOOD
TRAFFIC
CONTESTS
GREAT DAY
A+ ATHLETES
CRIME
Why was the suspect in Covington double killing out of jail despite violent record?
The Department of Corrections explained why Antonio Donde Tyson was out of prison despite a conviction for forcible rape, armed robbery, and aggravated burglary.
More Videos
NEXT UP IN 5
City Council reinstates ousted HANO board member
Parents relieved and thankful for return of Folsom girls and their dog after they went missing
LASPCA mistakenly euthanizes family’s dog
In the News: National headlines for November 30, 2022
Locked On Sports Today: November 30, 2022
Author: WWL Staff
Published: 3:16 PM CST November 29, 2022
Updated: 3:16 PM CST November 29, 2022
Facebook Twitter
NEW ORLEANS — Antonio Donde Tyson was jailed in 1993 after convictions for forcible rape, armed robbery and aggravated burglary.
Tyson was let out of prison in August of this year and is accused, just about three months later, of participating in the killing of two people and the burning of their bodies sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning in Covington.
The bodies were found behind a glass-making company in downtown Covington. Though the identities of the victims are not confirmed, the current pastor of St. Peter said he was “unsettled and praying” while saying that former pastor Otis Young and pastoral associate Ruth Prats have been missing since Sunday evening.
Tyson, who was arrested Monday afternoon, remains in jail without bond.
Tyson’s convictions in 1993 came for violent offenses, so some may wonder why he was able to get out of prison at all.
The Louisiana Department of Corrections issued a statement Tuesday, explaining the process that had Tyson out of prison.
Communications Director Ken Pastorick said that Tyson was sentenced by a state district judge in 1993 to 40 years for forcible rape, 40 years for armed robbery and 30 years for aggravated burglary.
The sentences rain concurrently rather than consecutively. That means the sentence was 40 years, or the length of the longest one as opposed to over 100 years had they run consecutively, or one after the other.
Pastorick said that the sentence time computation is determined by the Louisiana law in effect at the time the crimes were committed. Tyson had to served 50 percent of the time before being eligible for good time release.
Tyson could have been eligible for release as early as 2012, according to Pastorick, but “due to his conduct in prison, Tyson lost 4,219 days of good time.” He did earn 360 days for courses and programming he took while incarcerated. He was released on August 21. Pastorick said that he had complied with the conditions of his good time parole by having employment and a place to live.
If someone loses 4000 days of “good time” by his misconduct in prison, he shouldn’t be let out at all until his entire sentence is served. That’s just simple common sense. If he’s trouble on the inside, he’ll be ten times as much trouble on the outside.
The case is getting to be mysterious. On what evidence has Tyson been held? Has he made any statement to police? Surely he has a court-appointed lawyer by now, but that person has not been heard from. Was it Ruth’s car that was torched? Did he know the victims, or was this a random crime of opportunity? Apparently they’ve been able to convince the court they have the right guy, but the public is mostly in the dark. It’s troubling.
Yes, the cops are being very close mouthed about the case. They know more but are keeping information hidden right now. Considering how well known the priest was , I think it has something to do with trying to get details nailed down so this ape won’t be able to get away. This is a predominantly white parish and town and there is going to be definite pressure for a capital murder prosecution.
He’ll die in prison. DP appeals take decades to exhaust.
True. But if the next governor is Landry, the current AG, that situation may chnge in the swamp state. Landry is young and ‘mean’, which means he really hates guys like this ape.
Nothing mysterious about it. The DA has told the police not to talk - could jeopardize the case if details are publicized.
Yes, a lot of facts are unknown. So it’s mysterious. If you think I was implying anything more, you’re mistaken.
And it’s troubling because I live less than a mile from where it all happened. In a neighborhood where these sorts of things don’t happen.
That is troubling indeed. You need to hold your elected representatives accountable for letting this monster out of prison one second earlier than his full alloted time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.