News Summary
Nearly 50 years after Jim Leslie’s murder, cold case detectives are revisiting this unsolved case linked to public corruption in Shreveport. Leslie’s testimony against a local commissioner raised concerns about organized crime. An 81-year-old hitman, Larry Thompson, claims he has information about the case but his credibility is in doubt. Investigators face ongoing challenges to resolve the murder despite extensive previous inquiries.
Shreveport – Nearly 50 years after the murder of key corruption witness Jim Leslie, cold case detectives are revisiting the unsolved case, which pertains to significant allegations of public corruption within Shreveport. Jim Leslie was a pivotal figure, serving as a witness against George D’Artois, who was the Shreveport commissioner of public safety facing corruption charges at the time of Leslie’s murder.
The murder took place on July 9, 1976, a mere hours after the passage of controversial right-to-work legislation. Leslie was shot in Baton Rouge shortly after leaving a hotel bar, where a celebration following the law’s enactment occurred. This incident raised alarms over potential connections to organized crime and public corruption, as Leslie’s testimony had presented a substantial threat to influential figures within the region.
Current investigations have turned towards an 81-year-old convicted hitman, Larry Thompson, who has voiced a willingness to share details regarding Leslie’s murder. Thompson, now facing an 80-year state prison sentence for a 2003 armored truck robbery, has previously admitted to involvement in four murders. He has suggested that he could provide information about Leslie’s case in exchange for legal leniency for his son, Neal, who is currently serving a federal sentence.
However, Alexander Van Hook, the acting U.S. Attorney, remains doubtful about Thompson’s credibility and has stated that he will not engage in any negotiations without initially clear and specific information. Thompson’s condition for revealing details about Leslie’s murder has been characterized as “blackmail” by federal prosecutors, creating complications in the legal discussions surrounding the potential deal.
Leslie’s murder remains unsolved despite extensive investigations conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies at the time, and no convictions were achieved. The investigation’s original efforts were likely hampered by a lack of compelling evidence, making it challenging to establish a direct link between Thompson and the murder. Moreover, Elliott Stonecipher, a close associate of Leslie, has indicated that he has not encountered evidence implicating Thompson, emphasizing the belief that the real perpetrator has yet to be identified.
The resurfacing of Leslie’s case has reignited discussions about the impact of organized crime and corruption in Shreveport during the 1970s. Leslie, a former advertising executive, had played a crucial role in developing politically charged advertisement campaigns that ultimately contributed to the climate of danger surrounding his testimony. This historical context sheds light on the turbulent dynamics of public safety and corruption the city faced decades ago, aligning closely with the motives that may have driven his murder.
While Thompson has claimed he will not disclose any specifics regarding Leslie’s murder without assurance for his son’s leniency, the lack of corroborative evidence linking him to the crime complicates the scenario further. As the investigation continues, the critical details surrounding Leslie’s murder remain elusive, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in resolving this decades-old case.
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Additional Resources
- KTBS: Jim Leslie Homicide Cold Case
- Eastern Progress: Woman Killed in Suspected Hit-and-Run
- KTBS: Shreveport Man Arrested in Domestic Violence Case
- Shreveport Times: History of Slain Staffers
- Legacy: James Moore Obituary
- Wikipedia: Public Corruption
- Google Search: Jim Leslie Homicide Case
- Google Scholar: Shreveport Organized Crime
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Corruption
- Google News: Shreveport 1970s
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
