Maurice Parms Enters Not Guilty Plea in Murder Case
The Baton Rouge man faces a first-degree murder charge following the death of a 15-year-old.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Crime — General
Maurice Parms has entered a formal plea of not guilty to the charge of first-degree murder in a Baton Rouge court. The suspect was previously arrested in connection with the death of 15-year-old Ja'Derrius Minnieweather, whose remains were recovered from a local landfill.
Why it matters
The plea marks a key progression in the legal proceedings following a six-week search for the missing teen. Authorities identified the victim earlier this year through forensic DNA analysis.
Maurice Parms pleaded not guilty to all charges during his October 15 court appearance. He remains in custody with his next scheduled court date set for December 10.
The players
Maurice Parms
He is a 51-year-old man currently facing first-degree murder charges in the death of a juvenile.
Ja'Derrius Minnieweather
He was a 15-year-old victim whose remains were discovered in a landfill after a six-week disappearance.
The details
Maurice Parms was initially arrested on June 10 for indecent behavior with juveniles and computer-aided solicitation, followed by a murder arrest on June 20. The remains of Ja'Derrius Minnieweather were confirmed in August after he had been reported missing for six weeks.
Timeline
June 10, 2026: Maurice Parms was arrested for indecent behavior and solicitation.
June 20, 2026: Maurice Parms was arrested for first-degree murder.
August 2026: The victim was identified through DNA testing.
October 15, 2026: Maurice Parms entered a not guilty plea in court.
December 10, 2026: The court has scheduled the next hearing for the case.
Legal Context
The judicial proceedings for Maurice Parms follow the mandatory statutory protocols required for all first-degree murder cases in Louisiana. This case mirrors standard local legal processes where formal pleas are entered before scheduling discovery and trial dates.
The formal plea initiates the next phase of a high-profile case that has drawn significant attention to local safety concerns. Residents can monitor court records for future updates as the legal process moves toward the scheduled December hearing.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing judicial process following a major investigation into the death of a local minor. Residents awaiting resolution should stay informed through official court updates as the trial calendar proceeds.
What happens next
The court has scheduled the next proceeding in the case for December 10, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Baton Rouge Crime — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wafb.
