On January 26, 2024, Joseph Peoples, 32, from Bogalusa, was found guilty by a Washington Parish jury for the murder of Shawn Whiteside. After deliberating for just 20 minutes, the jury also convicted Peoples of two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The prosecution was led by Assistant District Attorneys Jay Adair and Hank Meyer, with District Judge Alan Zaunbrecher overseeing the trial.
The case stemmed from a tragic incident on April 22, 2020, when the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate an unresponsive male on the side of Highway 1072. The victim, later identified as Whiteside, had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. Witnesses reported seeing a silver SUV leaving the scene, and further investigation revealed that Peoples was last seen with Whiteside. Authorities linked a 2005 GMC Envoy, registered to Peoples, to the crime.
Peoples was detained and questioned by law enforcement, where he initially claimed to have acted in self-defense after Whiteside allegedly brandished a gun. Peoples said the shooting occurred while he, Whiteside, and his girlfriend, Allison Cook, were driving home from McDonald’s. He alleged that in an attempt to deflect the weapon, the gun discharged, killing Whiteside. However, Cook later provided crucial testimony, contradicting Peoples’ account. Cook revealed that Peoples had shot Whiteside out of jealousy, and she even led police to the recovery of the murder weapon.
In a second interview, Peoples attempted to shift blame to Cook, claiming she was the one who shot Whiteside. However, recorded jailhouse phone calls revealed Peoples’ intent to claim self-defense or insanity, as well as his attempts to influence Cook’s testimony.
Cook’s testimony during the trial was key to the prosecution’s case. She described how Peoples shot Whiteside despite his pleas for mercy and how she was forced to help dispose of the victim’s body. Cook’s account of the events provided the jury with critical details, including the victim’s last words: “Don’t do this…I have two sons.”
Peoples’ defense argued that Cook had acted out of jealousy, but the jury rejected this claim and convicted Peoples on all counts. In his closing argument, Assistant District Attorney Hank Meyer emphasized the impact on Whiteside’s family, including his widow and children, urging the jury to seek justice for them.
Peoples now faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. He is scheduled for sentencing on February 26, 2024, and has multiple pending felony cases in addition to prior felony convictions.
