FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jury Finds Man Guilty of Aggravated Second-Degree Battery and Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution
May 11, 2023
FRANKLINTON—District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, a 12-person jury in Washington Parish unanimously found Quanterrius McNeal, age 25, guilty as charged of aggravated second-degree battery and possession of contraband in a penal institution. District Judge Ellen Creel presided over the trial.
In May of 2022, an officer was making rounds in a unit at Rayburn Correctional Center. While walking past the cell of the victim and the defendant, he observed a large amount of blood on the victim’s shirt. Both inmates were taken out of the cell and when officers searched the cell, a homemade sharpened weapon was found in the defendant’s bunk.
Surveillance footage captured the incident. It showed the defendant approach the unsuspecting victim from behind, and begin stabbing him with the weapon multiple times in the head and neck area. The victim was fortunately able to fight back enough to stave off further attack. The victim suffered multiple significant lacerations as a result of the attack.
The video footage was played for the jury in the trial which lasted one day.
McNeal has prior convictions for simple burglary, purse snatching, aggravated battery and second-degree battery. At sentencing, he faces up to life in prison as a habitual violent offender. Sentencing is set for May 31, 2023.
The case was investigated by Rayburn Correctional Center. Assistant District Attorneys Luke Lancaster and Allie Serpas prosecuted the case.