Local man sentenced to life in death of stepson
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: August 29, 2012
Harold Loyd Free, 51, convicted of second degree murder last week by a Caddo Parish jury, was today sentenced to life in prison at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.
Free was convicted for the 2010 shooting death of his stepson, Terry Johniken.
Caddo Parish District Court Judge Mike Pitman officially handed down the sentence following a lengthy hearing during which a number of defense motions for a new trial were presented.
Included in the motions was one which challenged the constitutionality of a less than unanimous jury verdict. Jurors voted 10-2 to convict Free of second degree murder. Judge Pitman denied the defense motions.
Defense attorneys Richard Goorley and Ross Owen filed an intent to appeal, and requested a hearing seeking to declare Free indigent. Judge Pitman ordered a 15-day deadline on filing those motions, and also ordered that Free be incarcerated locally until motions are filed and a hearing is conducted.
