Police announced on Feb. 26 that four men have pleaded guilty in connection with the April 14, 2012 murder of Patrick Placide.
Placide, 25, was shot outside Residences of Morgan Falls Apartments. Placide went to the apartment with his cousin, Willy Jeanlouis, to sell marijuana but the buyers robbed the two men, shooting and killing Placide and injuring Jeanlouis.
Police said Gene Stephens, the shooter, pleaded guilty and received a 40-year sentence and will serve a mandatory term of 30 years. Victor Scott, who planned the robbery and provided the gun used in the killing, got 30 years and will serve a mandatory term of 20 years. James Taft made the call to set up the deal and provided an apartment where the suspects hid. Police said Taft later tried to destroy evidence, the cell phones stolen from the victims. Taft was sentenced to 15 years and will serve eight. Willy Jeanlouis received the phone call from Taft to set up the deal and was injured in the shooting. He received a 10 year sentence and will serve five.