Sibling Millionaires Get Life in Prison for Hiring Hitman To Execute Injured Driver Over Workplace Claim

Three people have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder-for-hire killing of 65-year-old Herman Harris, after prosecutors said a workplace injury and a threatened lawsuit led to a deadly plot involving his former employers.

Rilonda Brooks, her brother David Brooks Jr. and Johnnie Hicks were sentenced by Judge Alvin Batiste in Louisiana's 18th Judicial District Court on 14 September, after an Iberville Parish jury convicted all three at the end of a trial on 14 August.

The $4 Million Motive

Harris was shot in the head inside his home in Maringouin on 27 August 2024. He had previously worked for Brooks Trucking, driving an 18-wheeler and delivering shipments.

Prosecutors said Harris was injured during a workplace incident involving Rilonda Brooks and was preparing to take legal action against her and the company. The alleged lawsuit became central to the prosecution's explanation for why Harris was targeted.

The financial backdrop was substantial. Prosecutors said Rilonda and David Brooks had each received approximately $4 million (£3 million) from a settlement connected to an accident that killed their mother, and argued Rilonda wanted to prevent Harris' lawsuit from putting that money at risk. The district attorney's office dates that settlement to December 2023.

District Attorney Tony Clayton described Rilonda Brooks as the alleged mastermind, saying she and David hired Hicks to carry out the killing.

The Alleged Murder-For-Hire Plot

Javadda Lewis, a fourth person connected to the case, became a key prosecution witness after agreeing to testify against the other defendants.

Lewis admitted his own involvement and identified Hicks as the shooter. Prosecutors said Lewis helped bring Hicks into the plot and acted as a lookout, with a kilogram of cocaine allegedly promised as his payment. Hicks was allegedly promised a truck and a job.

Lewis testified that he and Hicks went to Harris' home before dawn. According to his testimony, they entered the house, with Lewis later standing outside as a lookout while Hicks remained inside. Hicks then emerged carrying a pillow, which prosecutors said was used to muffle the gunshot.

The Surveillance Trail

Investigators also presented surveillance footage tracing the movements of those involved.

Retired Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy Jeremy Sanchez testified that footage showed Hicks and Lewis leaving David Brooks' home and heading towards Harris' residence. They were later seen returning to Brooks' home at 5:02 a.m.

At 5:06 a.m., Lewis was seen handling the gun, wrapping it in a grey shirt and handing it to David Brooks, according to Sanchez. Investigators later recovered the gun and grey shirt from a pond behind Brooks' property.

The defence challenged parts of the evidence, including gaps in surveillance footage. Rilonda Brooks also testified that she believed her brother was involved in Harris' murder but denied having any part in planning or carrying it out.

Convictions and Life Sentences

The jury convicted Rilonda and David Brooks of principal to second-degree murder, solicitation for murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary and principal to aggravated burglary.

Both were acquitted of racketeering. Hicks was convicted of principal to second-degree murder and related conspiracy, obstruction, evidence-tampering and aggravated-burglary charges, as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was acquitted of illegal possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Rilonda and David received life without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence for the murder conviction, with their additional sentences running concurrently. Hicks also received life in prison, alongside additional concurrent sentences.

The judge denied new-trial motions from all three defendants. Rilonda Brooks' attorney Harry Daniels III said after the verdict that the defence planned to appeal and pursue further post-trial motions.

Harris Family Speaks Out

Harris' family attended the trial and returned for sentencing.

His sister said after the hearing, 'Finally, my brother got justice.' His widow, Regina Harris, also addressed the court, describing the lasting impact of his death before telling the defendants that she forgave them.

Lewis, meanwhile, remains to be sentenced. Prosecutors agreed to remove a possible life sentence from consideration in exchange for his testimony, and Clayton said prosecutors still needed to consult Lewis' attorney and Harris' family before recommending a sentence.