Prosecutors in Rapides Parish have formally extended a plea agreement to an Alexandria woman accused of participating in a violent residential attack that claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl and left the child’s father severely wounded. The proposed agreement would allow the defendant to avoid potential life imprisonment in exchange for her direct cooperation and testimony against two co-defendants.
Kayla Leigh Wooten, 40, was back in court on Monday before 9th Judicial District Court Judge Chris Hazel. Wooten stands indicted on severe felony charges, including second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder, stemming from the deadly gunfire that took place exactly two years prior at a local residence.
During the court proceedings, Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Kelvin Sanders placed the state’s proposal on the record. Under the terms presented by the prosecution, the state is willing to reduce Wooten's top charge of second-degree murder down to conspiracy to commit second-degree murder. In return, Wooten would be required to testify against her co-defendants, Latraykus Deroyce May and Deroyce May II.
Both Latraykus May and Deroyce May were also indicted alongside Wooten and are currently facing identical charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Prosecutors view Wooten’s potential testimony as a critical component in building their case against the two men as the judicial process moves closer toward trial.
The charges arise from a tragic shooting that occurred on September 14, 2024, at a residence situated in the 2900 block of Cypress Street in Alexandria. The Monday court appearance took place exactly two years to the day after gunfire erupted inside the family home, forever altering the lives of the victims and shocking the surrounding neighborhood.
The incident resulted in the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Hope Alexandria Coleman, who succumbed to her injuries following the attack. The young victim’s father was also shot during the encounter and sustained grave, life-threatening injuries, leading directly to the attempted murder indictments brought against all three defendants.
Wooten, who is represented by defense attorney Katharine Geary, did not immediately accept the state's proposed plea arrangement during Monday’s appearance. However, Assistant District Attorney Sanders confirmed to the court that the offer remains open for the defense’s ongoing consideration as upcoming legal deadlines approach.
In addition to the plea discussions, the court addressed the issue of Wooten’s pretrial detention and financial security conditions. In early August, Wooten had submitted a pro se motion seeking a reduction in her bail, which was previously established at an amount exceeding $1.5 million.
During Monday's hearing, Geary officially adopted Wooten’s self-filed motion for a bond reduction, placing the request formally into the hands of legal counsel. Judge Hazel scheduled a dedicated hearing to evaluate the bail reduction request on October 19, providing time for both sides to argue the terms of her continued custody.
The October 19 date marks a pivotal juncture in the overall case. In addition to Wooten’s scheduled bail hearing, Judge Hazel previously designated October 19 as the trial start date for both Latraykus Deroyce May and Deroyce May II, meaning significant legal determinations regarding all three accused individuals are converging on that day.
As the court session drew to a close on Monday, an emotional scene unfolded in the courtroom. Wooten began crying as the proceedings concluded, turning toward a group of supporters who had gathered in the gallery for the hearing. Before being led away, she expressed her love to them and blew them a kiss.
The use of testimony-for-plea negotiations is a standard yet high-stakes prosecutorial strategy in complex violent crime litigations involving multiple alleged participants. By securing the first-hand testimony of an indicted co-defendant, the state frequently seeks to solidify its narrative and clarify individual culpability before presenting the case to a jury.
For Wooten, the decision to accept or reject the state's offer carries profound legal consequences. A conviction on second-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole under Louisiana law, whereas a conspiracy conviction substantially alters the potential sentencing framework.
With the prosecution's offer formally pending and trial dates set for the co-defendants, the proceedings in the 9th Judicial District Court will determine how accountability is pursued in the tragic death of Hope Alexandria Coleman and the violent assault on her father.
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