Jennings teen sentenced for manslaughter
Investigators say robbery was motive in deaths of grandfather, another man
<p class="p1">JENNINGS — A Jennings teenager accused of killing his grandfather in his home and another man, whose body was found in a canal days later, was sentenced to 55 years in prison after pleading guilty to the charges.</p><p class="p1">Parker Gary, 19, was sentenced to a maximum of 40 years in prison for the manslaughter of his grandfather, Warren Gary, and 15 years for obstruction of justice in the murder of Dedrick Gant, 40, of Jennings. The sentences are to run consecutive, District Attorney Michael Cassidy said Friday.</p><p class="p1">Parker Gary, who was 17 at the time of the crimes, is accused of fatally shooting his grandfather, a former chief investigator for the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office and city inspector, at his residence on Nov. 15, 2016.</p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Warren Gary’s body was found inside the home by police responding to reports of multiple gunshots fired in the area of U.S. 90 east of Jennings.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Police believe Parker Gary, who lived with his grandfather, shot at his own vehicle, which was parked under the carport, to make it look like someone else had shot Warren Gary. Those shots were heard by firemen and reported to police.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Investigators believe robbery was the motive for the shooting.</span></p><p class="p1">Gary and Ryan “Pablo” Cole, 17, are also accused in the burglary of Warren Gary’s residence days earlier as well as Gant’s slaying.</p><p class="p1">Cole was sentenced to 26 years in prison last October after pleading guilty to manslaughter in connection with Gant’s death. Charges of illegal possession of stolen things, burglary and second-degree battery were dismissed against Cole.</p><p class="p1">Items — including several guns, jewelry, gold coins and computers — were recovered from Cole’s home. The items were allegedly taken from Warren Gary’s residence the weekend prior to his murder.</p><p class="p1">Cole confessed to his involvement in the burglary, but denied any knowledge of Warren Gary’s murder.</p><p class="p1">The two were arrested in connection with Gant’s murder after his body was found in the West Bayou Grand Marais Canal on Nov. 23, 2016, by a farmer checking on an irrigation pump south of Aaron Road.</p><p class="p1">Parker Gary was represented by attorney Robert “Bob” Sheffield. Bennett Lapoint represented the state.</p>