The Murder of Juan Joseph
For this case, I watched an episode of Murder Under the Friday Night Lights. It’s season 1 episode 5, titled ‘Do It For Juan.’
A beloved football star and coach is killed during a night out.
Background
Juan Anthony Joseph was born on August 27, 1987, to parents Greg and Betty Joseph. Juan was a very gifted athlete, and led the West St. John Rams to a football championship in 2004.
After graduating high school, Juan attended and played football at Millsaps College in Mississippi. He then eventually got married and had a daughter.
In 2011, Juan and his family returned to Edgard, Louisiana. Juan became a coach for his former high school team, and worked with the quarterbacks.
Everyone loved Juan, who was like a local celebrity. Juan was described as a jokester and a prankster. He was also very dedicated father and close to his family.
Juan Joseph
Juan with his daughter and wife
A Night Out
In November 2014, Juan and his wife were expecting their second child, a daughter. Juan had already set up the nursery.
On November 15, 2014, Juan told his mom that he was going to stop by a birthday party. It was unusual for Juan to go out, especially to a nightclub, but Juan said it would be one of the last times for awhile he’d be able to go out.
Juan went out with his best friend, Patrick Jackson, and one of Patrick’s friends, William Griffin. The three went to Allure Nightclub in Baton Rouge.
Around 2am, Juan was shot in the parking lot. He would later pass away at the hospital from his injuries.
The Eyewitnesses
The Baton Rouge Police were able to find several shell casings at the scene. Patrick and William were taken to the police station to be interviewed.
Patrick told the police that William had seen someone he knew, and went across the street from the club’s entrance. William then got into an altercation with two people inside a black Mercedes. William was upset because the car had almost hit him.
Patrick said he was trying to restrain William, and Juan walked over to the passenger side to deescalate the situation. Patrick said he saw that the driver had a silver gun, and the passenger had an all black gun that resembled a Glock.
The passenger had gotten out of the car, and Patrick saw Juan try to knock the gun out of the passenger’s hand. Juan was then shot twice in the chest, and the black Mercedes fled the scene.
Patrick said he had Juan in his arms, and was also trying to get the license plate number. Patrick said he just couldn’t remember or retain any of the numbers or letters on the plate.
William’s interview was all over the place. He definitely had been drinking more that night, and said he didn’t think he was fighting with anyone. He couldn’t remember anything that had happened.
Do It For Juan
By November 16, the news of Juan’s death was all over social media and the local news.
It really affected the community. The football team was hoping they could win a state championship for Juan. Juan’s dad, Greg ran out with the football team and through the paper sign. The community made signs that read #DoItForJuan, and 27 blue and white balloons were released. The football team ended up winning a playoff game 51-0.
The football rivalries in the were very intense. At first, the police didn’t think that Juan’s shooting was random. The West St. John football coaching staff had been threatened before after losing a game during their last season.
The police didn’t have much to go on besides the black Mercedes. They searched the area for surveillance cameras, and found one at a local gas station. Around the time that the clubs were closing, a black Mercedes was seen on camera speeding out of the parking lot.
The Tips
A tip line was set up for any information about Juan’s death. About 24 hours after the shooting, the Crime Stoppers line received several tips naming Lemark and Kendric Cloud, who were cousins.
The police now had photos of their two potential suspects. They created a photo lineup, and showed the photos to Patrick and William. Patrick identified Lemark as the driver, and William identified Kendric as the shooter.
On November 17, 2014, the police obtained search and arrest warrants for Lemark and Kendric. They did a drive by of their residence, and saw a black Mercedes leaving the house.
A traffic stop was done. Inside the car, the police found Lamika, Lemark’s sister. Lamika told the police that the car was registered to their grandmother, but Lemark was the primary driver.
The police and SWAT team made entrance into the home, but nothing of evidentiary value was found.
Another Suspect
The police brought Lemark down to the police station, but he refused to give them any statement. Kendric wasn’t located at the home, but his picture was released, and shared all across social media. He ended up turning himself in, but also refused to give a statement.
The Louisiana State Police contacted the Baton Rouge Police, and said there was an anonymous source that wanted to speak to them.
The Baton Rouge Police met with this source in downtown Baton Rouge. He said that they needed to be looking at a suspect from the Houston area. He also led them to the murder weapon, which was found in a wooded area next to Lemark’s house. However, the police were stunned when neither Lemark or Kendric’s DNA was found on the gun.
In March 2015, the grand jury indicted Lemark for second degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm. Kendric was not indicted due to there being no evidence against him.
As the prosecution was preparing their trial against Lemark, the police received another anonymous tip. The tipster told them that the shooter was Jamarcus Goodman, who was from the Houston area.
Lemark Cloud
Kendric Cloud
Jamarcus Goodman
The Confession
Jamarcus had an warrant out for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Patrick and William were both shown a photo of him, but they weren’t able to identify him.
In June 2015, Jamarcus was arrested. He admitted that he knew Lemark, and had hung out with him in Baton Rouge while visiting his aunt and cousin. He told the police that he had been in Baton Rouge once during the college football season.
Jamarcus said he never went out to any clubs, and didn’t shoot anyone. His DNA was collected, and was a match to the DNA found on the murder weapon.
In September 2016, Lemark finally agreed to tell the police what had happened. Lemark said they went to Allure, and had a fun time. When they left around closing time, he got into a fight with William. He admitted to being armed, and said that William’s friends came up to his car.
Lemark said Jamarcus was the passenger, and got out of the car. When he got back in, Jamarcus told him to drive, so he did. Lemark said he didn't hear any gunshots that night, which the police didn’t seem to believe.
Jamarcus was arrested. It seemed like Juan was shot because he had been trying to diffuse the situation.
The Convictions
In September 2016, Lemark Cloud pled guilty to attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to 7 1/2 years.
Jamarcus Goodman pled guilty to manslaughter, and was sentenced t0 4o years in prison.
Other
On December 7, 2017, the West St. John football team won the state championship.
A community park was renamed the Juan Anthony Joseph Memorial Park.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Juan was so excited to be a father again, and wanted just one more night out with friends. William was very drunk, and maybe thought that he was going to be hit by Lemark’s car. Instead of just apologizing, Lemark and Jamarcus pulled out their guns, and Juan was shot. Juan was trying to break up the fight, and instead, his life was taken. It’s heartbreaking, and my heart goes out to his family.
Sources
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/184245880/juan-anthony-joseph
https://thecinemaholic.com/juan-joseph-murder-where-are-jamarcus-goodman-and-lemark-cloud-now/
