Louisiana Supreme Court Rejects Marcus Reed Writ
The state's high court declined to grant a supervisory writ sought by a Caddo Parish death row inmate convicted in the 2010 Adams brothers killings.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Criminal Justice
The Louisiana Supreme Court declined to grant a supervisory writ motion filed by attorneys for Marcus Reed, who was convicted in Shreveport for the August 16, 2010 deaths of three Adams brothers. The motion had asked the court to remand the case to Caddo District Court for a hearing on new evidence.
Why it matters
The ruling leaves Reed's post-conviction challenge in its current posture and keeps the case moving through the courts. Reed is one of 14 men from Caddo or Bossier parishes on death row, so the outcome bears on the local death penalty docket.
The Louisiana Supreme Court declined the supervisory writ, and Judge Donald Hathaway Jr. had earlier denied a new evidentiary hearing and the post-conviction appeal on June 10. Both execution dates signed in March 2025 remain stayed while post-conviction appeals continue.
The players
Marcus Reed
Death row inmate convicted in Shreveport for the 2010 deaths of the Adams brothers, whose case is now before the state's appellate courts.
Donald Hathaway Jr.
Caddo Parish district judge who denied Reed's post-conviction appeal and a request for a new evidentiary hearing.
Mwalimu Center for Justice
New Orleans-based legal organization representing Reed in his post-conviction challenge.
The details
Reed's attorneys with the Mwalimu Center for Justice argued the state concealed the criminal record of a witness and relied on an affidavit claiming at least one victim was armed and another man may have stolen weapons before police arrived. Hathaway denied the post-conviction appeal, which included claims of ineffective counsel.
Timeline
August 16, 2010: Three Adams brothers killed in Caddo Parish.
January 2014: Reed sentenced.
June 10: Hathaway denies new hearing and post-conviction appeal.
End of March 2025: Hathaway signs death warrant for Reed and Darrell Draughn.
Wednesday: Louisiana Supreme Court declines supervisory writ motion.
Legal Context
The writ denial is one step in Louisiana's post-conviction review of capital sentences, where stayed execution dates keep cases in appellate channels. Caddo and Bossier parishes account for a notable share of the state's death row population.
The ruling means Reed remains on death row while his appeals continue, and the stayed execution dates keep the case active in Caddo Parish. Residents following local criminal cases should expect further court filings rather than an immediate resolution.
The takeaway
The writ denial does not decide Reed's guilt or sentence, but it keeps his post-conviction claims alive in the courts. Readers can follow similar capital cases in Louisiana through the state's appellate rulings.
Further reading
For more on the local justice system, explore Criminal Justice coverage in Shreveport.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate.
