Two suspects arrested in Cole murder

By Vanessa C. Deggins
(American Press)

One of two suspects in the death of a DeQuincy man has been given a lower bond and placed on house arrest Friday at the request of his mother, a state representative from Baton Rouge.

James G. Barrow, 21, the son of Rep. Regina A. Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, has been charged with principal to second-degree murder and illegal use of a dangerous weapon along with Michael Smith Jr., 20, in the shooting of Brent Cole, 39.

Barrow’s family requested District Judge Janice Clark, who primarily handles civil cases, to set Barrow’s bond, according to court records.

The records have Clark stating that she considers Barrow a minimal flight risk and set his bond at $100,000.

Judge Todd Hernandez was the criminal court duty judge at the time of Barrow’s and Smith’s bookings. He set Smith’s bond at $250,000.

Hernandez told The Advocate of Baton Rouge that any judge can set a bond and if another wants to step in, they contact the duty judge, which Clark did not do.

While on house arrest, Barrow must wear a tracking device, submit to random alcohol and drug tests and hold a full-time job or enroll in school.

Smith’s lawyer, Tony Lawrence, said he plans to request a bond reduction hearing. Smith remains in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Brent Cole had traveled to Baton Rouge to play bass guitar at First Pentecostal Church. According to reports, at some point he became lost near Goodwood Boulevard and Lobdell Avenue, where he was shot at and found fatally wounded.

Sgt. Don Kelly of the Baton Rouge Police Department told the American Press that a cell phone belonging to Smith was found at the crime scene and Smith led them to Barrow.

Kelly said the men claimed to have lost the cell phone before the shooting.

The charge of principal to second-degree murder was chosen because detectives could not determine who the shooter was, Kelly said.

“While we have no official motive, we suspect there may have been some sort of road incident preceding the shooting,” Kelly said.

Both Smith and Barrow have criminal records in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Barrow was due in court on July 23 on a simple burglary charge and had been arrested last year for allegedly beating a man with a baseball bat.

Smith was also arrested for the beating incident. He is accused of luring the man to his house under the guise of buying stereo equipment from him. He was charged with principal to aggravated battery and principal to second degree kidnapping, while Barrow was charged with aggravated battery, attempted second-degree kidnapping and theft of a firearm.

Smith had also been convicted of drug charges.