“Tommy Spell”.
The State of Louisiana 15th Judicial District Court
Versus Parish of Acadia
Thomas Rhuel Spell State of Louisiana
NUMBER 32,080
Crowley, Louisiana
Thursday, August 10, 1978
Honorable G. Bradford Ware, Judge, Presiding
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Originally posted August 2009
On a cool, crisp day in November of 1975, sixteen year old Ricky Dale Mire was found bludgeoned to death in an irrigation canal south of Crowley, Louisiana.
Dead for almost 34 years, yet so alive to those of us from Crowley, who grew up with the story of Ricky's death in our minds.
Ricky was a friend to my family, he "babysat" me and my brother, that is how I knew him, I was six years old when he died yet thirty-four years later his memory remains and his death saddens.
Reconciliation? Closure? Or reverence to Ricky's memory? I believe it is in combinaton...all of these things that give rise to this "blog". It is preservation too, the preservation of those memories we ponder from the innocent crevices of our childhood minds.
Whatever information I have about his death now (made public through trial transcripts, witness affidavits, polygraph results and Tommy Spell’s pardon submission), I will attempt to share here.
Anything that is learned or failed to be learned will not bring Ricky back. This exercise is for understanding alone.
Understanding for why death, lost youth, injustice and all those larger than life issues we think we know – make us dwell so long and so hard.
Dead for almost 34 years, yet so alive to those of us from Crowley, who grew up with the story of Ricky's death in our minds.
Ricky was a friend to my family, he "babysat" me and my brother, that is how I knew him, I was six years old when he died yet thirty-four years later his memory remains and his death saddens.
Reconciliation? Closure? Or reverence to Ricky's memory? I believe it is in combinaton...all of these things that give rise to this "blog". It is preservation too, the preservation of those memories we ponder from the innocent crevices of our childhood minds.
Whatever information I have about his death now (made public through trial transcripts, witness affidavits, polygraph results and Tommy Spell’s pardon submission), I will attempt to share here.
Anything that is learned or failed to be learned will not bring Ricky back. This exercise is for understanding alone.
Understanding for why death, lost youth, injustice and all those larger than life issues we think we know – make us dwell so long and so hard.
SPELL v. LOUISIANA: SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
SPELL v. LOUISIANA DOC
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
No. 90-6656
111 S. Ct. 2055, 500 U.S. 933, 114 L. Ed. 2d 460, 59 U.S.L.W. 3781, 1991.SCT.42861
May 20, 1991
SPELL, THOMAS RHUEL, PETITIONER
v.
LOUISIANA DOC
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT.
Rehnquist, White, Marshall, Blackmun, Stevens, O'Connor, Scalia, Kennedy, Souter.
The petition for writ of certiorari is denied.
19910520
© 1998 VersusLaw Inc.
Certiorari
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
No. 90-6656
111 S. Ct. 2055, 500 U.S. 933, 114 L. Ed. 2d 460, 59 U.S.L.W. 3781, 1991.SCT.42861
May 20, 1991
SPELL, THOMAS RHUEL, PETITIONER
v.
LOUISIANA DOC
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT.
Rehnquist, White, Marshall, Blackmun, Stevens, O'Connor, Scalia, Kennedy, Souter.
The petition for writ of certiorari is denied.
19910520
© 1998 VersusLaw Inc.
Certiorari
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Too Many Rumors: [Post Script - Crowley Post Signal Nov. 1975]
One of the characteristics of a city the size of Crowley is the ability of rumors - absolutely wild, unfounded stories - to circulate with the speed of winds.
In the case of the death of Ricky Mire, the rumormongers have been working overtime, circulating gossip that is completely false about circumstances and people, who may or may not be connected with the unfortunate act.
Since that dastardly crime was committed, we have been in frequent contact with the Sheriff's Department and the Crowley Police Department. They, in turn, have been very cooperative with us in in the matter. There is nothing secret about the case. No arrests have been made. No accusations have been made.
It is true that many persons have been interrogated. It is true that the State Police are involved in the probe. Beyond those two facts, no one should heed any rumors which happen to be in vogue at the moment.
It is unfortunate that the names of innocent persons have been tossed about like a carelessly made salad. The often heard claim that suspects are being held is simply not true. Rash judgments often damage people, in this case, who are only trying to be helpful by telling what they know about events which took place before the crime.
Additionally, the unfounded stories actually impede the investigation. the Sheriff's Department and the city Police Department are being flooded with questions about rumors, and these useless calls are detracting officers from following the scant clues they have in the case.
In the case of the death of Ricky Mire, the rumormongers have been working overtime, circulating gossip that is completely false about circumstances and people, who may or may not be connected with the unfortunate act.
Since that dastardly crime was committed, we have been in frequent contact with the Sheriff's Department and the Crowley Police Department. They, in turn, have been very cooperative with us in in the matter. There is nothing secret about the case. No arrests have been made. No accusations have been made.
It is true that many persons have been interrogated. It is true that the State Police are involved in the probe. Beyond those two facts, no one should heed any rumors which happen to be in vogue at the moment.
It is unfortunate that the names of innocent persons have been tossed about like a carelessly made salad. The often heard claim that suspects are being held is simply not true. Rash judgments often damage people, in this case, who are only trying to be helpful by telling what they know about events which took place before the crime.
Additionally, the unfounded stories actually impede the investigation. the Sheriff's Department and the city Police Department are being flooded with questions about rumors, and these useless calls are detracting officers from following the scant clues they have in the case.
Tommy Spell #95309: Submission to the Louisiana Pardon Board: G. Paul Marx - Trial Lawyer: Lafayette, LA 70598-2389
Tommy Spell #95309
Submission to the Louisiana Pardon Board
G. Paul Marx – Trial Lawyer
Lafayette, LA 70598-2389
Tommy Spell was a 22 year old painter in Crowley working in a family business at the time that Ricky Mire was found murdered in a rural Acadia Parish canal. Spell was among many subjects interviewed by State and local authorities in connection with the homicide. The victim’s homosexual orientation and his comments about young Crowley men led investigators to interview numerous subjects, including Tommy Spell and Anthony Broussard. Investigative polygraphs indicated Spell’s denials were truthful, according to State Police polygraphist. Other key suspects, one of whom eventually became the State’s key witness, failed each polygraph administered them. That was Anthony Broussard, whose girlfriend two years latter happened to be the woman Spell was married to and living with at the time of the murder. That tie would become a noose around Spell’s neck when Anthony Broussard was indicted for rape two years after the Mire murder. Anthony Broussard had committed the aggravated rape of a young untold male. Tommy Spell believed Broussard also molested Spell’s son.
Submission to the Louisiana Pardon Board
G. Paul Marx – Trial Lawyer
Lafayette, LA 70598-2389
Tommy Spell was a 22 year old painter in Crowley working in a family business at the time that Ricky Mire was found murdered in a rural Acadia Parish canal. Spell was among many subjects interviewed by State and local authorities in connection with the homicide. The victim’s homosexual orientation and his comments about young Crowley men led investigators to interview numerous subjects, including Tommy Spell and Anthony Broussard. Investigative polygraphs indicated Spell’s denials were truthful, according to State Police polygraphist. Other key suspects, one of whom eventually became the State’s key witness, failed each polygraph administered them. That was Anthony Broussard, whose girlfriend two years latter happened to be the woman Spell was married to and living with at the time of the murder. That tie would become a noose around Spell’s neck when Anthony Broussard was indicted for rape two years after the Mire murder. Anthony Broussard had committed the aggravated rape of a young untold male. Tommy Spell believed Broussard also molested Spell’s son.
Anthony J. Broussard's signed statement to the police. Dated July 25, 1977
Anthony J. Broussard’s signed statement to the police.
Dated July 25, 1977
On November 12, 1975 I got off work at the Galloping Jugs in Lafayette at approximately 3:00 PM that afternoon. I went to some [gas] station in Lafayette and filled up my car which was a Green 1969 Oldsmobile, to come to Crowley with. I then left Lafayette and came to Crowley and went to my grandmother, XXXXXX XXXXXXX house who lives at XXX XXX Street. I stayed at my grandmothers around 15 or 20 minutes and then left to go to Mary LeLeaux’s house to see my daughter Dawn Lynn who was staying with Mary LeLeaux. Mary lives at XXXX XX XXXX, in Crowley. I left my grandmother’s house and turned on South Avenue J and was traveling South and I came up to Jeanette Street at the stop sign. When I got to that stop sign I heard Tommy Spell blowing his horn behind me. He was driving an Old Blue Chevrolet. I didn’t pay any attention to him and kept on going another block and Tommy spell came behind me and blew his horn and flashed his lights, wanting me to stop. I stopped and Tommy Spell pulled up behind and got out of his car and came up to my car. I put my window down and he asked me if I had time to take him somewhere. He told me that it wouldn’t take long. He was drinking a beer at the time. I told him that I had time so I then crossed the street and pulled over on South Ave J. Tommy Spell pulled his car over on Spruce Street and parked it in front of a grocery store there. I do not know the name of the store but it has been closed down for years now. Tommy Spell then came got into my car and about that time both Tommy Spell and I both saw Ricky Mire walking a block in front of us. Ricky was walking East at the time on Ash Street. Tommy told me to catch up with Ricky and I did. When I got to Ash Street I turned left which made me be traveling East also. When I got up to Ricky Mire I stopped and Tommy got out of the car and talked to Ricky. I do not know what Tommy talked to Ricky about. They then both got back into my car and Tommy told me to drive out towards Kings Addition Road. I was driving, Ricky was sitting in the middle and Tommy was sitting on the passenger side. When I got on the Kings Addition road I was traveling East and got on the gravel road and passed all the houses on that road. When we got past the houses Tommy told me to pull over. I stopped by a canal or drainage ditch. I pulled over there and Tommy got out of the car and Ricky got out behind him. Ricky then walked a little ways from the car and Tommy leaned back into my car and told me to give him my keys and Tommy closed the door and then went to the trunk of my car and opened the trunk and got something out my trunk. He then closed my trunk and I saw that he had my tire tool. I saw this after he got in front of my car. Then Tommy and Ricky walked up this levee and walked on the side of the levee out of my sight. I could not see them so I got out of my car and I walked a little ways and I saw Tommy push Ricky one time with one hand. I then came back to my car and got in it and sat there and waited for them to come back. I waited maybe eight or ten minutes and Tommy came walking back to my car alone. Ricky was not with him. Tommy got back into my car and had the tire tool on the floorboard [ineligible]…then asked Tommy “What about Ricky? And he told me “Don’t ask any questions.” Tommy then told me to bring him back to his car. I then turned around and brought Tommy back to his car. When I got on Spruce Street where Tommy’s car was parked and Tommy got out my car with the tire tool and said if I knew what was good for me to keep what I knew to myself. I then left town and went to Lafayette.”
This statement was completed at 12:55 PM on the 25th of July 1977.
Dated July 25, 1977
On November 12, 1975 I got off work at the Galloping Jugs in Lafayette at approximately 3:00 PM that afternoon. I went to some [gas] station in Lafayette and filled up my car which was a Green 1969 Oldsmobile, to come to Crowley with. I then left Lafayette and came to Crowley and went to my grandmother, XXXXXX XXXXXXX house who lives at XXX XXX Street. I stayed at my grandmothers around 15 or 20 minutes and then left to go to Mary LeLeaux’s house to see my daughter Dawn Lynn who was staying with Mary LeLeaux. Mary lives at XXXX XX XXXX, in Crowley. I left my grandmother’s house and turned on South Avenue J and was traveling South and I came up to Jeanette Street at the stop sign. When I got to that stop sign I heard Tommy Spell blowing his horn behind me. He was driving an Old Blue Chevrolet. I didn’t pay any attention to him and kept on going another block and Tommy spell came behind me and blew his horn and flashed his lights, wanting me to stop. I stopped and Tommy Spell pulled up behind and got out of his car and came up to my car. I put my window down and he asked me if I had time to take him somewhere. He told me that it wouldn’t take long. He was drinking a beer at the time. I told him that I had time so I then crossed the street and pulled over on South Ave J. Tommy Spell pulled his car over on Spruce Street and parked it in front of a grocery store there. I do not know the name of the store but it has been closed down for years now. Tommy Spell then came got into my car and about that time both Tommy Spell and I both saw Ricky Mire walking a block in front of us. Ricky was walking East at the time on Ash Street. Tommy told me to catch up with Ricky and I did. When I got to Ash Street I turned left which made me be traveling East also. When I got up to Ricky Mire I stopped and Tommy got out of the car and talked to Ricky. I do not know what Tommy talked to Ricky about. They then both got back into my car and Tommy told me to drive out towards Kings Addition Road. I was driving, Ricky was sitting in the middle and Tommy was sitting on the passenger side. When I got on the Kings Addition road I was traveling East and got on the gravel road and passed all the houses on that road. When we got past the houses Tommy told me to pull over. I stopped by a canal or drainage ditch. I pulled over there and Tommy got out of the car and Ricky got out behind him. Ricky then walked a little ways from the car and Tommy leaned back into my car and told me to give him my keys and Tommy closed the door and then went to the trunk of my car and opened the trunk and got something out my trunk. He then closed my trunk and I saw that he had my tire tool. I saw this after he got in front of my car. Then Tommy and Ricky walked up this levee and walked on the side of the levee out of my sight. I could not see them so I got out of my car and I walked a little ways and I saw Tommy push Ricky one time with one hand. I then came back to my car and got in it and sat there and waited for them to come back. I waited maybe eight or ten minutes and Tommy came walking back to my car alone. Ricky was not with him. Tommy got back into my car and had the tire tool on the floorboard [ineligible]…then asked Tommy “What about Ricky? And he told me “Don’t ask any questions.” Tommy then told me to bring him back to his car. I then turned around and brought Tommy back to his car. When I got on Spruce Street where Tommy’s car was parked and Tommy got out my car with the tire tool and said if I knew what was good for me to keep what I knew to myself. I then left town and went to Lafayette.”
This statement was completed at 12:55 PM on the 25th of July 1977.
An Editorial - Reward Offered [Front Page Post Signal] Nov. 18th, 1975
On Wednesday, November 12, [1975], between the hours of 4:30 and 5 p.m. one of the most horrendous crimes ever committted in Acadia Parish history was perpetrated in an empty drainage canal a few miles southeast of Crowley, while many of us were driving home from work or preparing for our usual evening meal. At that spot, an apparently unwarranted execution took place. A young, 16-year-old boy was hog tied and beaten to within inches of his life, only to succumb to the critical injuries he sustained in the beating later that night.
Ever since the night of Wednesday, November 12, the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Department and the Crowley City Police have launched a full scale, round-the-clock search for the person or persons responsible for this barbaric act. Quite frankly, both law enforcement agencies have admitted that this case has baffled even the experts and that there are very few clues available to pursue, to lead to solving the murder.
Therefore, it is with the full knowledge and cooperation of the Sheriff's Department and the Crowley City Police that Radio Station KSIG and The Crowley Post Signal take an active part in tracking down the responsible criminals.
We believe someone out there witnessed the bludgeoning of young Ricky Dale Mire and is afraid to come forth because of fear for his life or that of persons close to him. We, KSIG and The Crowley Post Signal, have taken it upon ourselves to jointly offer a reward of $500 to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the barbarians who committed this crime. Rest assured that if you voluntarily give us these facts, your identity will remain anonymous. If you believe you can contribute the necessary information which could solve this case, you are urged to contact either Sheriff Elton Arceneaux or Police Chief J. Allen Castille. They in turn will advise us as to the authenticity of your information. Again, let us remind you that this entire transaction will be handled with the strictest confidence to protect you.
Any other businessmen wishing to enhance the reward in order to insure a speedy sollution to this most bizarre incident can contribute any amount by contacting either The Post-Signal or KSIG.
We've all heard of The Charles Manson Massacres in which persons were mercilessly butchered and shot for no apparent reason other than the victims represented an element of society foreign to the beliefs of this group. Although, The Manson Murders have no connection with this incident, it is interesting to note, however, that some person or persons in the same frame of mind as was Charles Manson may be walking in our midst. We feel that the responsible parties must be brought to justice and our environment returned to one of peace and tranquility instead of chaos and tenseness.
Radio Station KSIG and The Crowley Post Signal urge anyone with information which will help solve the savage crime to come forth with it as soon as possible. Again, if the informant's knowledge of the crime leads to the arrest and convition of the murderer, we will jointly give that person a $500 reward.
Ever since the night of Wednesday, November 12, the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Department and the Crowley City Police have launched a full scale, round-the-clock search for the person or persons responsible for this barbaric act. Quite frankly, both law enforcement agencies have admitted that this case has baffled even the experts and that there are very few clues available to pursue, to lead to solving the murder.
Therefore, it is with the full knowledge and cooperation of the Sheriff's Department and the Crowley City Police that Radio Station KSIG and The Crowley Post Signal take an active part in tracking down the responsible criminals.
We believe someone out there witnessed the bludgeoning of young Ricky Dale Mire and is afraid to come forth because of fear for his life or that of persons close to him. We, KSIG and The Crowley Post Signal, have taken it upon ourselves to jointly offer a reward of $500 to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the barbarians who committed this crime. Rest assured that if you voluntarily give us these facts, your identity will remain anonymous. If you believe you can contribute the necessary information which could solve this case, you are urged to contact either Sheriff Elton Arceneaux or Police Chief J. Allen Castille. They in turn will advise us as to the authenticity of your information. Again, let us remind you that this entire transaction will be handled with the strictest confidence to protect you.
Any other businessmen wishing to enhance the reward in order to insure a speedy sollution to this most bizarre incident can contribute any amount by contacting either The Post-Signal or KSIG.
We've all heard of The Charles Manson Massacres in which persons were mercilessly butchered and shot for no apparent reason other than the victims represented an element of society foreign to the beliefs of this group. Although, The Manson Murders have no connection with this incident, it is interesting to note, however, that some person or persons in the same frame of mind as was Charles Manson may be walking in our midst. We feel that the responsible parties must be brought to justice and our environment returned to one of peace and tranquility instead of chaos and tenseness.
Radio Station KSIG and The Crowley Post Signal urge anyone with information which will help solve the savage crime to come forth with it as soon as possible. Again, if the informant's knowledge of the crime leads to the arrest and convition of the murderer, we will jointly give that person a $500 reward.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thomas Rhuel Spell, 58 - Died January 25th, 2011
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for Thomas Rhuel Spell, 58, who died Tuesday, January 25, 2011 in Crowley, LA.
Fr. Mattew Higginbotham will be officiating for the services. The family is requesting visiting hours to be held Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Thursday from 8:00 AM to the time of service. A rosary will be recited Wednesday at 6:00 PM at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery .
He is survived by his mother, Mildred D. Picard and her husband, Ronald of Crowley; his daughter, Ashley Spell of Crowley; his step-son, Blaine Morgan of Crowley; two brothers Larry DuBose and his wife, Maureen of Crowley, and Jim DuBose of Crowley; two sisters, Linda Simon and her husband, Robert of Clarksville, AR, and Cindy Hollier and her husband, Tom of Vidor, TX; and his companion, Lola McLain of Crowley.
Mr. Spell is preceded in death by his son, Shannon Thomas Spell; his father, Rhuel Spell, Jr.; and his sister, Dawanna Fontenot.
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