Accused Cagle killer indicted on first-degree murder

Robert Nelson, the Monroe man accused of murdering Shirley Cagle in her home last week, could face the death penalty after a Ouachita Parish grand jury returned an indictment of first-degree murder Thursday.

Assistant 4th District Attorney Neal Johnson said he hasn't decided whether the prosecution will pursue the death penalty, but he wanted that option for which a first-degree murder indictment is required.

Cagle, 85, was well known in the community from her role as the long-time assistant director of the Ouachita Council on Aging. She was the sister of state Rep. Frank Hoffmann, R-West Monroe.

Johnson said he sought a first-degree murder indictment "because of the heinous nature of the crime and the helplessness of the victim. This was an 85-year-old woman who was brutally murdered in her own home."

Johnson said the coroner reported two major injuries that could have caused Cagle's death — a blow to her face with a blunt object and a cut on her throat.

Johnson said District Attorney Jerry Jones will likely decide by Nelson's June 30 arraignment date whether to pursue the death penalty. "We want to get all of the lab reports and evidence back and evaluate it," Johnson said.

Nelson will likely be represented by prominent Monroe criminal defense attorney LaValle Salomon. Though Salomon hasn't been enrolled as Nelson attorney, he already represents the suspect in two pending felony charges — one burglary and one domestic abuse violence.

Salomon said in court Thursday he expects to be retained by Nelson's family in the murder case.

Nelson, 26, was arrested early Friday morning by Monroe police when they responded to a burglary complaint at Fort Miro apartments on Oliver Road.

Police said while they were questioning Nelson about another burglary, he confessed to killing Cagle during a burglary at her Isabelle Street home, which is near Oliver Road. Police said Nelson told them he didn't mean to kill her.

Monroe police and firefighters then went to Cagle's home, where they found her body and evidence of arson. Police believe Nelson tried to burn her home after her death to conceal evidence, but he was unsuccessful.

Police said Nelson's grandmother was friends with Cagle and that he knew her. There was no sign of forced entry into Cagle's home.

Cagle's body was found in the back room of her home. Police believe Nelson stole a TV from Cagle.

"We have a very strong case with physical evidence in addition to the confession," Johnson said.

Fourth District Judge Daniel Ellender ordered Nelson held without bail at Ouachita Correctional Center.

Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter @GregHilburn1