Detective: Investigators believe Deven Brooks killed for iPhone, credit card

An Alexandria man's request to reduce his $1 million bail was denied Monday, and new details were revealed surrounding the discovery of a body near the Red River in January.

Terrance K. Lavalais, 22, is one of three people accused in the death of Ball resident Deven Slade Brooks, 27. He was indicted on a charge of second-degree murder in April, along with Jamaria Xavier Randle and Tremaine Deshun Veal.

He pleaded not guilty before the hearing on his motion to reduce his bond.

Police have said Brooks' body was found in a city park near the Red River on Jan. 11. He had been reported as a possible kidnapping victim to the Ball Police Department on the night of Jan. 9.

During the hearing on the defense's motion, Alexandria Police Department Detective Jason Mouliere testified about the timing of what had happened and how the three defendants became suspects in the case.

Lavalais' defense attorney, Christopher LaCour, asked Mouliere to describe how he became involved in the case, and the detective said he had been notified by patrol officers about a body that had been found underneath the Purple Heart Memorial Bridge.

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The body was bound with cables, zip ties and duct tape, he testified, and had been thrown down a "small cliff."

While at the scene, investigators learned about the report regarding Brooks. After looking at a photo of Brooks, they tentatively identified him as the victim.

He later was identified through his fingerprints.

Ball investigators also brought them body camera video from a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 165 that took place about 44 minutes before Brooks was reported missing, he said.

Randle and Lavalais were in Brooks' car, and they were either coming or going to a Walmart, he said.

Mouliere also testified that investigators had talked to at least two of Brooks' neighbors, one of whom placed Randle at his apartment. He said the neighbor told police Brooks sought help getting Randle to leave his home.

The traffic stop happened about 16 to 20 minutes after that incident, he said.

Based on the body camera video, Randle and Lavalais became suspects. Randle contacted someone she knew at the Ball department, and she was brought into Alexandria for an interview.

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She gave a statement about kidnapping and robbing Brooks. Lavalais gave a statement that was similar to hers, he said. Both identified a third person who they said shot Brooks once in his head.

Both Randle and Lavalais were arrested on Jan. 12.

Mouliere testified that the next day, Randle said she wanted to change her statement to reflect that it was Lavalais who shot Brooks. She also changed the identity of the third person who had been with them, telling investigators that person was Veal.

Randle said Veal supplied the gun used to kill Brooks, said Mouliere.

The detective said investigators found surveillance video from the Walmart on North Mall Drive that showed Randle, Lavalais and Veal together a few hours before Brooks was kidnapped.

He testified that it showed Randle trying to buy cables, zip ties and duct tape, but that the purchase either was declined or aborted. Randle took the items from the store without paying, he said.

The three were seen on video leaving in Randle's car, which Mouliere testified Brooks had bought for her.

Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Christopher Bowman had Mouliere go over some of his previous testimony.

He asked how Brooks knew Randle, and Mouliere said the two either had dated or had had a relationship.

Bowman asked why the trio brought Brooks to the river. The detective said investigators believed the three were trying to get Brooks' iPhone because it was connected to one of his credit cards.

Bowman also asked Mouliere about Veal, who was the last defendant arrested, and if investigators had any new information about his connection.

Mouliere responded that, after his arrest, Veal allegedly told an inmate that he was at the scene where Brooks' body was found and that he had brought the gun.

Mouliere testified that no weapon has been found, but one shell casing was found at the crime scene.

Bowman asked what the three did after Brooks was killed. The detective said Brooks' phone was used to purchase items and to to get cash through automated teller machines.

LaCour also had Lavalais testify, but only about what bail amount he could afford. Thinking his bail was set at 400,000, Lavalais said he would need it to be reduced by half or more.

When 9th Judicial District Court Judge Greg Beard denied the defense's motion to reduce bail, members of Deven's family and supporters filling two rows in the gallery sighed.

A pretrial conference has been set for July 6.

Randle has a motion to reduce bond set for a hearing on May 19. Veal is set to be arraigned on May 18.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: No reduction of $1M bail for Terrance Lavalais in Deven Brooks' homicide