OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) -- Three men were indicted on murder charges Friday in St. Landry Parish, authorities said.

Carl Franklin Tates, Jaleel Washington and Leonard Ratican were each indicted by a St. Landry Parish grand jury in the 27th Judicial District Court, according to District Attorney Chad Pitre.

Tates was indicted for the second-degree murder of Demetris Lincoln, both from Houston. According to the indictment Lincoln was last seen alive Aug. 16, 2019 by her family members at her home in Houston. Three days later, Lincoln’s body was found in a ditch near Exit 27 on I-49 in Washington, Louisiana.

Lincoln was wrapped in a blanket, her hands were severed, but there was nothing found at the scene to identify her, officials said. Ultimately a call-in tip, LSU Faces Forensic Imaging and Facial
Approximation, along with DNA testing led to the identification of Lincoln and discovery of evidence linking Tates to Lincoln’s disappearance, according to the indictment.

Tates is currently incarcerated in Harris County Jail, and he will be extradited to St. Landry Parish to face these new charges.

Jeleel Washington of Opelousas was indicted for second-degree murder in the shooting death of Zacariah Zerangue.

The shooting occurred Jan. 5 in the 700 block of West Hiram Street in Opelousas. Witnesses report that Washington, who was standing inside the open driver door of a dark colored Mercedes Benz, argued with Zerangue, who was seated in the front passenger seat. Washington reached across the driver and fired several rounds into Zerangue. Washington will be arraigned on March 21, officials said.

Ratican was indicted on charges of second degree murder, along with aggravated cruelty to the infirm and exploitation of the infirm.

Ratican called 911 Nov. 4 to report the need for medical assistance for Mary Jenner, his 78-year-old aunt. Ratican and Jenner had been living in Sunset since 2006. Jenner was found to be immobile, malnourished and barely breathing and died soon after receiving medical attention, officials said. Ratican will also appear in court on March 21 for arraignment.

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