Sabine Man Found Guilty of 2021 Murder over Romantic Rivalry

A verdict has been reached in the courtroom in the case of a brutal murder that occurred in 2021. A Sabine Parish man has been convicted for slaying his romantic interest’s partner, following the examination and presentation of indisputable evidence by the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office.

The Verdict of a Violent Crime

At the trial held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, Joshua Cornell Palmer, a 36-year-old resident of Many in Sabine Parish, was found guilty of committing second-degree murder. The jury consisted of seven women and five men, and after nearly half an hour of deliberations in District Judge Ramona Emanuel’s court, they arrived at the unanimous verdict.

Overwhelming Evidence Against the Accused

The evidence against Palmer was overwhelming, with witness testimonies, Facebook and text messages, cell phone GPS data, and surveillance footage all pointed conclusively to his guilt. Palmer was also charged and found guilty of possessing a firearm despite being a convicted felon.

The Circumstances Behind the Fatal Incident

The crime that Palmer was convicted for happened in the early hours of May 31, 2021, on the 5000 block of Westwood Park Drive. The victim was Dominique Roland, aged 32, who was leaving an apartment owned by the ex-girlfriend of the accused.

Prior to the incident, Palmer had procured a firearm from his ex-girlfriend, even going as far as to send her a text to notify her that he was armed. He had also been sending threats to his ex-girlfriend once he saw Roland arrive at her apartment, sending messages counting down the time Roland had to leave the premises.

The Final Moments of the Victim’s Life

Palmer confronted Roland as he was leaving the apartment, and walked with him down the street. Moments later, he shot Roland thrice, once in the face and twice in the chest.

Surveillance footage from local motels corroborated the incident timeline. Palmer was seen prior to the shooting, running in the immediate aftermath of the event, and hours later in a motel lobby wearing similar clothing to the one he was wearing at the time of the shooting.

Upcoming Sentencing for Guilty Murderer

Joshua Cornell Palmer is due back in Judge Emanuel’s courtroom on May 9, 2024, where he will be sentenced. The offenses he has been found guilty of come with severe penalties: a mandatory life sentence for the murder conviction and a likely sentence of five to 20 years in prison without the possibility of parole, probation, or suspension for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

This verdict represents a significant achievement in the pursuit of justice, shining a light on the destructive consequences of violent crime.