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

By Jacob Brooks
The Daily News
Published/Last Modified on Friday, November 6, 2009 8:45 AM CST


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.

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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.

 

Comments

    Reader Comments

    The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of downtownnews.com.

    Grief-Stricken wrote on Nov 7, 2009 4:54 PM:

    " It is with great sorrow that I have to address this chapter of my life again. But it is very grieving to learn that the alleged killer has or was let loose on "house arrest". Where is the "JUSTICE". Or is it just another, black on black crime committed. So, we just let him go? This is RIDICULOUS!!!!! But guess what, there is a God and KeeKe has a family that will stick together!! "

    Grief-stricken wrote on Nov 7, 2009 4:58 PM:

    " To continue, We don't believe "violence begats violence". But we do know that we serve a Faithfu and Righteous Judge, JESUS CHRIST. I say to those that spoke on the guys behalf. How do you know what went on. Why not use your day in court. Bogalusa is not a big town at all and you all that spoke on his behalf was probably at KeeKe's furneral. Thats "hypocritcal". "

    Grief-stricken wrote on Nov 7, 2009 5:04 PM:

    " I say to the Black people in Bogalusa, be fair. Call "right, right and "wrong", wrong! Because "IF YOU DON'T STAND FOR "ANYTHING", YOU WILL FALL FOR "EVERYTHING". You are quick to talk about the unfairness of the white man but we harbor each other in our "dirt" and wrongdoings". YES I SAID IT!!!!!! And Justice will PREVAIL!!!!! "

    Why-Me wrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:47 PM:

    " He should be in jail with no bond, if 2 are more people seen him do it. What was this judge thinking, maybe the judge should be removed? "

    Somebody wrote on Nov 13, 2009 2:21 PM:

    " We are people on the outside looking in. If you were not there when the incident happened you cannot judge anybody only those that were there knew what happened. It is all in God's hands and he will see that justice has been served. "

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Thank you for your comments!

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of downtownnews.com.

Grief-Stricken wrote on Nov 7, 2009 4:54 PM:

" It is with great sorrow that I have to address this chapter of my life again. But it is very grieving to learn that the alleged killer has or was let loose on "house arrest". Where is the "JUSTICE". Or is it just another, black on black crime committed. So, we just let him go? This is RIDICULOUS!!!!! But guess what, there is a God and KeeKe has a family that will stick together!! "

Grief-stricken wrote on Nov 7, 2009 4:58 PM:

" To continue, We don't believe "violence begats violence". But we do know that we serve a Faithfu and Righteous Judge, JESUS CHRIST. I say to those that spoke on the guys behalf. How do you know what went on. Why not use your day in court. Bogalusa is not a big town at all and you all that spoke on his behalf was probably at KeeKe's furneral. Thats "hypocritcal". "

Grief-stricken wrote on Nov 7, 2009 5:04 PM:

" I say to the Black people in Bogalusa, be fair. Call "right, right and "wrong", wrong! Because "IF YOU DON'T STAND FOR "ANYTHING", YOU WILL FALL FOR "EVERYTHING". You are quick to talk about the unfairness of the white man but we harbor each other in our "dirt" and wrongdoings". YES I SAID IT!!!!!! And Justice will PREVAIL!!!!! "

Why-Me wrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:47 PM:

" He should be in jail with no bond, if 2 are more people seen him do it. What was this judge thinking, maybe the judge should be removed? "

Somebody wrote on Nov 13, 2009 2:21 PM:

" We are people on the outside looking in. If you were not there when the incident happened you cannot judge anybody only those that were there knew what happened. It is all in God's hands and he will see that justice has been served. "

Submit a Comment

We encourage your feedback and dialogue. All comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
(optional)
   

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