A district judge in Rapides Parish has sentenced Markese Harrell to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the second-degree murder in the in-custody death of Andrew Steven Myles while both men were incarcerated together. 

Judge Chris Hazel delivered Harrell’s sentence on June 9 in the 9th Judicial District Court. Following a four-day trial, the jury found Harrell guilty of the crime on April 21. 

“To hear guilty, without the possibility of probation and parole, Andrew Myles and his family got justice today,” said Angela Myles, Andrew’s mother. “There’s no more court dates, there’s no more court appearances. I gave my victim impact statement to keep my son’s life and memories alive.”

Prior to Myles’ death, Harrell was in custody at the Rapides Parish Jail on charges related to a one-vehicle accident, in which he drove into the side of the Pentecostals of Alexandria Church building. An off-duty Pineville Police Department officer entered the church, saw everything take place, and subdued Harrell until the Alexandria Police Department was able to apprehend him.

“He left his vehicle, went inside the church and assaulted two persons inside the church, brutally assaulted,” said Chuck Johnson, Assistant District Attorney of Rapides Parish. This incident led to Harrell being charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, hit and run, criminal damage to property, two counts of second-degree battery, and contempt of court.

The second-degree murder case arose in May of 2022. At around 8:50pm on May 19, RPSO officers responded to a call regarding two inmates inside the Rapides DC-1 facility – Markese Harrell and fellow inmate Andrew Steven Myles. Myles was found unconscious but breathing and suffering from life-threatening injuries.

Prosecutors allege that Myles was attacked while he was taking a nap on the floor. Myles received 40 blows to the head, crushing his skull. Myles died the next day at around 4am as a consequence of his injuries.

During the trial for Myles’ murder, Harrell pleaded not guilty by way of insanity. His defense counsel argued that epilepsy was a mental disease and that Harrell was under mental distress during the time of the incident.

However, the prosecution argued that what Harrell did was no less than ‘a cold-blooded murder.’

“We weren’t able to find a single case in the history of Louisiana where any court has ever said that epilepsy is a mental disease or defect,” AD Johnson said. “It’s a medical condition, treatable medical condition. Thousands of people in this country suffer from it. They live productive lives. They follow the laws of society. Mr. Harrell chose not to.”

The prosecution was tasked with proving the murder. The defense was tasked with proving Harrell’s plea of not guilty by way of insanity.

“We were able to kind of bifurcate the evidence, separate it and show them this is the evidence of the murder itself,” Johnson said. “Cumulatively, with the rest of the evidence, we’re going to show you, even though we’re not required to, that he was not legally insane.”

Harrell’s sentencing comes after his original sentencing date was delayed. According to court records, Harrell was originally scheduled to hear his sentence on May 12. However, Harrell’s defense counsel filed a motion for a new sentencing date on May 9, which was granted and rescheduled for June 9.

The case was prosecuted by Johnson. Harrell was represented by defense attorney Jermaine Harris. District Judge Chris Hazel presided over the case.