Three arrests have been made in the October slaying of a Downsville man, according to the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Kenneth Shane Spillers, 50, Downsville; Sonya Turner Brown, 48, Downsville; and Brown’s daughter, Lela Starleigh Ann Turner, 22, of Ruston, were arrested on charges ranging from second degree murder to failure to seek assistance.
In October, Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates told the Lincoln Parish Journal that Michael “Herby” Nichols, 49, was found dead outside his residence on Mosleys Bluff Road. Investigators found the victim had died from gunshot wounds and determined the homicide occurred on Thursday night, October 5, around midnight.
An investigation by UPSO deputies revealed the trio traveled to Nichol’s residence in Downsville, allegedly to retrieve Brown’s personal belongings as Brown and Nichols were former dating partners. The investigation revealed that once the three arrived at the residence, Spillers exited the vehicle but ordered both women to remain inside the vehicle.
According to witness statements, the two men argued over money and when Nichols turned to walk away, Spillers allegedly shot him in the back. Spillers re-entered the vehicle in an angry state, and the trio then left the residence. Spillers allegedly warned Brown and Turner not to speak of the incident.
Arrest warrants were issued by a Third District Court judge. All three persons have been arrested and booked into the Union Parish Detention Center.
Spillers is charged with second degree murder with bail set at $1.25 million. Sonya Turner Brown was booked for accessory after the fact to second degree murder. Bail was fixed at $100,000. Turner is charged with accessory after the fact and felony failure to seek assistance. Bail was set at $25,000.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
