Murder suspect released from jail, but judge revokes bond next day

A man charged with killing a Varnado resident was released from jail Wednesday, following a bond hearing at Washington Parish Courthouse.

Donald Sampson Jr., a 35-year-old from Bogalusa, was granted a $150,000 bond by Judge William Burris, said Rick Wood, spokesperson for District Attorney Walter Reed.

However, late Thursday afternoon, Wood said Burris revoked the bond after the DA’s Office argued the collateral pledged on the bond was insufficient.

Sampson was slated to be re-arrested late Thursday, Wood said.

Sampson was originally arrested by Bogalusa police on Oct. 1 in the shooting death of 35-year-old Keith Magee of Varnado. Magee was shot three times in the back and once in the arm outside a residence on E. 8th Street in Bogalusa, according to Bogalusa Police Department. He was transported to LSU Bogalusa Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

“There were folks outside the residence cooking. It appears the two were having an argument and it turned deadly,” said BPD Capt. Joe Culpepper.

BPD put out a warrant for Sampson’s arrest, and Sampson turned himself in on Oct. 2. He was charged with second-degree murder.

Sampson’s bond was originally set at $1.5 million, but at Wednesday’s hearing, multiple people spoke on his behalf, and the judge reduced the bond amount to $150,000, the DA’s Office said. The bond was approved after four people pledged property totaling $150,000.

The DA’s Office did object, Wood said.

“We didn’t think that it was appropriate for the bond to be lowered,” Wood said.

As part of the release, Sampson must remain under house arrest and cannot have contact with any witnesses in the case, Wood said.

The DA’s Office is expected to file a motion to raise the bond, Wood said.

Family members of Magee said they were extremely surprised and upset that Sampson had been released.

The case will go before a grand jury on Nov. 18.