Records Show Suspect in Benton Homicide Was Supposed to Be in Jail

BENTON, La. – A Mistaken Release Leads to a Tragic End

In a tragic series of errors, Delandro Fleming, the man alleged to have fatally shot an elderly man last week, should have been in jail at the time. Instead, he was prematurely released due to bureaucratic confusion, as revealed by recently obtained court records.

The Horrifying Crime

Fleming, 22, of Shreveport, is now behind bars in Bossier Parish owing to his suspected involvement in the slaying of 76-year-old Wilmer Monette. The crime took place outside Monette’s daughter’s residence in the upscale Jamestowne subdivision near Benton. Bossier sheriff’s deputies allege Fleming approached Monette shortly after he exited his vehicle, shot him repeatedly in the upper body before escaping in a car driven by an accomplice.

A Wrongful Release

Records indicate that at the time of the horrific incident, Fleming should have been confined in a Ouachita Parish jail serving a two-year term for assaulting a corrections officer at a juvenile prison in Monroe. However, a premature release occurred in Ouachita Parish last year that resulted in devastating consequences. Fleming, who has a criminal record dating back to his teenage years, was wrongfully freed and able to commit this act of violence.

The Errors That Led to Freedom

Court documents reveal multiple systemic errors that led to Fleming’s early release. Some of Fleming’s criminal records were registered in the Ouachita Clerk of Court’s system under an incorrect birth date, resulting in two sets of records for the same individual. One of these misfiled records was his conviction requiring additional jail time, leading to his premature release.

Previous Crimes

Fleming’s extensive criminal history began at a young age. Following a 2018 home invasion and armed robbery, Fleming was sentenced to juvenile life, to be served in a juvenile jail until his 21st birthday in March 2023. However, a few years into this sentence, Fleming was involved in an attack on a corrections officer during an attempted escape, further complicating his record.

Current Situation

Fleming is currently being held in Bossier Parish under a $1 million bond in relation to Monette’s death. His initial appearance in Bossier District Court took place on Monday, and the public defender’s office has been appointed to represent him. As of yet, he has not entered a plea.

A Tragic Misstep

The fallout from this administrative oversight has caused a devastating ripple effect. A life has been lost, a family is now grieving, and new questions are being raised about the efficiency and accuracy of the criminal justice system. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of painstaking detail and diligent record keeping in the justice system.