NEWS

Nelson pleads not guilty in Cagle murder

Greg Hilburn
USA TODAY Network

Robert Nelson Jr. pleaded not guilty Thursday to the first-degree murder of Shirley Cagle, the long-time assistant director of the Ouachita Council on Aging.

Nelson, 26, of Monroe, was indicted on the charge April 30 by a Ouachita Parish grand jury. Cagle, 85, was killed in her Isabelle Street home in Monroe on April 23.

Assistant Fourth District Attorney Neal Johnson said prosecutors haven’t decided whether to seek the death penalty, which is an option under the first-degree murder charge.

“We’re still waiting on the lab reports,” Johnson said following the arraignment. “That can take 60 days, sometimes longer, but we’ve asked for the process to be expedited.”

Nelson is being represented by prominent Monroe criminal defense attorney LaValle Salomon.

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,” he said.

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.

Nelson was arrested early April 24 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 the 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 Nelson’s 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.

Nelson is being held without bail at Ouachita Correctional Center.

Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter @GregHilburn1