A Sabine Parish man was found guilty of murdering a romantic rival and using a gun he was prohibited from possessing, in court action on April 25.

 

Joshua Cornell Palmer, a 36-year-old Many resident, was found guilty as charged of second-degree murder by a seven-woman, five-man jury in District Judge Ramona Emanuel’s court after deliberations lasting just under a half-hour. He also was judged guilty as charged to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

 

Witness testimony, as well as Facebook and text messages, cell phone GPS and surveillance footage demonstrated that Palmer shot and killed Dominique Roland, 32, in the 5000 block of Westwood Park Drive early May 31, 2021, after Roland left the apartment of Palmer’s ex-girlfriend. Palmer got the firearm used in the slaying from his ex-girlfriend prior to Roland’s arrival and texted the woman to let her know he had the weapon. Once Palmer saw Roland enter the apartment, he began sending threatening messages to his ex-girlfriend counting down the time Roland had to leave the apartment. Once Roland left the apartment Palmer approached him and walked with him down the street, shooting him three times, once in the face and twice in the chest. Surveillance footage from local motels in the area showed Palmer prior to the shooting, running immediately after the shooting, and a few hours later in a motel lobby wearing similar clothing.

 

When Palmer returns to Judge Emanuel’s court May 9, 2024 for sentencing, he faces a mandatory life sentence for the murder conviction and from five to 20 years in prison without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

 

Palmer was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Brittany Arvie and Senae Hall. He was defended by Royal Alexander and Dave Knadler.

 

The case was docket No. 385761.