Baton Rouge Police have made an arrest in the murder of civil activist Sadie Roberts-Joseph. The 75-year-old was found dead in her trunk on Friday. Chief Murphy Paul says 38-year-old Ronn Bell has been charged with first-degree murder. Paul says they don’t have an exact motive, but Bell was a tenant in one of her rent houses.
“We believe that he was behind several months on his rent, we believe on around $1,200 was owed,” said Paul.
Roberts-Joseph was the founder of Baton Rouge’s African American history museum and her murder shook the community because she was known her kindness. Paul credits great police work for making an arrest just a few days after her death.
“We have some of the best homicide detectives in the country, thank you for your hard work and commitment, even in the midst of a storm, we appreciate your efforts,” said Paul
A preliminary autopsy found that Roberts-Joseph died from being suffocated. Since Bell has been charged with first-degree murder, prosecutors can seek the death penalty. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says no decision has been made on that.
“This case is very new, no decisions have been made on how we will proceed,” said Moore.
