Fourth suspect arrested in death of man found on Huey P. Long Bridge

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Deputies arrested a fourth suspect in connection to a man found dead on the Huey P. Long Bridge.

Darius Conley, 33, was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and obstruction of justice.

Deputies arrested three other family members in February.

Da’Sean Conley, 17, was charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Cathy Conley, 55, was charged with principal to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Coshelia Conley, 36, was charged with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice

Arrests were made after deputies found the body of Gerard Nicholas Richard, 41, “mangled up” with his wrists tied with rope and tape near the middle of the bridge around 7 p.m. on Feb. 13.

Deputies said Richard’s body was wrapped in the blanket before being run over by multiple cars. A bloody blanket and weighted kettlebell were found during the investigation. Investigators believed that someone tried to throw the body from the bridge after blood smears were found on the bridge’s railing.

A witness reported seeing two cars stopped at the top of the bridge. One car was identified as a dark colored Chevrolet Tahoe found burned in East Feliciana Parish on the same day. Investigators said a charred kettlebell was found inside, similar to the one on the bridge.

Richard’s death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy on Feb. 14.

Deputies learned Richard was Coshelia’s boyfriend and her son Da’Sean had an ongoing dispute with him. Witnesses told investigators that Richard was heard pleading Da’Sean not to hit him as he was being punched and beaten in an apartment. A single gunshot was heard by witnesses after both left the apartment and went into the truck. Richard’s body found on the bridge 30 minutes later.

Investigators learned on Feb. 19 that Da’Sean didn’t act alone as Darius was seen by witnesses holding Richard by gunpoint with an assault rifle during the beating, according to arrest documents.

Darius’ truck was determined to be the second car seen on the bridge. Deputies said cleaning items and suspected blood were found in the truck bed.

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