-
Code released from Angola
Nathaniel R. Code Jr., 27, is released from Louisiana State Penitentiary after serving less than eight years of a 15-year sentence for aggravated rape. The high school dropout earns an early release for good behavior.
Source: The Times research -
Deborah Ann Ford homicide
The bound and beaten body of 25-year-old Deborah Ann Ford is found at her Shreveport home. The mother of two was stabbed nine times in the chest and her throat was cut six times, nearly decapitating her. Police have no leads in the Cedar Grove area homicide but Caddo Parish coroner George McCormick theorizes the crime may be the work of a serial killer.
Source: The Times research
At left, Deborah Ann Ford is shown in an undated photo. (The Times) -
Wes Burks homicide
The body of Wes Burks, 48, of Shreveport, is discovered in a pool of of blood on the kitchen floor of his St. Vincent Avenue home. Burks was stabbed multiple times. Nathaniel R. Code Jr. later is identified as a suspect in the crime but never charged.
Source: The Times research -
Monica Renae Barnum homicide
The body of Monica Renae Barnum, 20, is discovered by her mother in an apartment on Ashton Street. Barnum was bound, stabbed and strangled with a wire coat hanger that was left around her neck. Nathaniel R. Code Jr. later is named a person of interest in the case but is never arrested or charged in connection with the killing.
Source: The Times research -
Vivian Chaney homicides
Vivian Chaney, 37, her daughter, Carlitha Culbert, 15, Chaney's boyfriend, Billy Joe Harris, 28, and Chaney's brother, Jerry Culbert, 25, are found dead. Chaney's other daughters, ages 10 and 7, are discovered unharmed and alive. Police have no suspects but the coroner suggests the killings are the work the same person who killed Deborah Ann Ford in 1984.
Source: The Times research
At left, the body of a victim is removed from the Vivian Chaney residence on July 19, 1985. (LSUS archives) -
Code marries
Nathaniel R. Code Jr. marries Vera Mae Bloomer. The couple make their home in a 300-block East 73rd St. house, which is just blocks from the scene of several murders in Shreveport's Cedar Grove neighborhood.
Source: The Times research
At left, Vera Bloomer Code speaks with a reporter shortly after her husband's August 1987 arrest. (The Times) -
Johnny B. Jenkins homicide
The sister of Johnny B. Jenkins, 54, finds his body at about 10:30 a.m. in his trailer on Miles Street. Jenkins, who had been dead two or three weeks when he was found, had been stabbed multiple times. Police later name Nathaniel R. Code Jr. a suspect in the killing but do not charge him.
Source: The Times research -
Jake Mills homicide
Jake Mills, 60, is found lying on the living room floor of his Poland Street home. Mills, who may have known his attacker, had been stabbed multiple times. Police later name Nathaniel R. Code Jr. a suspect in Mill's killing but never charged him.
Source: The Times research -
William T. Code homicides
The bodies of William T. Code, 73, Joe Robinson Jr., 12, and Eric Williams, 8, are discovered after the three miss a planned breakfast with the boys' grandmother. Nathaniel R. Code Jr., who is on the scene watching invesigators, introduces himself to police as William T. Code's grandson and agrees to give a statement.
Source: The Times research
At left, 12-year-old homicide victim Joe Robinson Jr. is shown in this undated photo. (The Times) -
Police arrest Code
Police charge Nathaniel R. Code Jr. with the first-degree murders of Vivian Chaney, and her daughter, boyfriend and brother. Code also is named a suspect in eight other homicides, including the Aug. 5, 1987 killing of his grandfather and two young boys.
Source: The Times research
At left, Nathaniel R. Code Jr. in 1989 after a court hearing. (The Times) -
Trial of Code begins
Jury selection begins in the trial of Nathaniel R. Code Jr., who is charged with the first-degree murders of Vivian Chaney, Carlitha Culbert, Billy Joe Harris and Jerry Culbert.
Source: Caddo Parish court records.
At left, a crowd gathers outside the Vivian Chaney home in July 1985 after she, and her daughter, boyfriend and brother are found dead. (LSUS archives) -
Jury finds Code guilty of quadruple killings
After delibertating for just over an hour, the jury finds Nathaniel R. Code Jr. guilty of the first-degree murders of Vivian Chaney, Carlitha Culbert, Billy Joe Harris and Jerry Culbert. While Code also is charged with the killing of Deborah Ann Ford, William T. Code, Joe Robinson, Jr. and Eric Williams, he is not prosecuted for those crimes.
Source: Caddo Parish court records
At left, murder victim Vivian Chaney is shown in this undated photo. (The Times) -
Code gets death penalty
After a separate sentencing phase trial, the same jury that found Nathaniel R. Code Jr. guilty of four murders two days earlier sentences him to death after deliberating 3 1/2 hours.
Source: The Times research
At left, Carlitha Culbert is shown in this undated photo. Culbert, 15, was among four people killed in July 1985. Nathaniel R. Code Jr. was found guilty of Culbert's murder and sentenced to death. (The Times) -
Code formally sentenced to death
One day after his request for post conviction judgement of acquittal and motion for a new trial is denied, Nathaniel R. Code Jr. is formally sentenced to death by Caddo Judge Gayle K. Hamilton.
At left, Nathaniel R. Code Jr. is shown during his 1990 trial in this undated artist's rendering. (The Times) -
La Supreme Court affirms Code's sentence
The Louisiana Supreme Court affirms Code's guilt and death sentence. -
First death warrant
Judge C. J. Higginbotham Jr. signs a death warrant for the execution of Nathaniel R. Code Jr.
Source: Caddo Parish court records
At left, Eric Williams, 8, was found dead on Aug. 5, 1987 along with William T. Code and Joe Robinson Jr. Nathaniel R. Code Jr., William T. Code's grandson, was arrested and charged with the killings but never prosecuted. (The Times) -
Death warrant recalled
Seventeen days after it was issued, the death warrant for Nathaniel R. Code's execution is recalled. -
Second death warrant filed
Death warrant for Nathaniel R. Code Jr. is filed. But no execution takes place. -
Third death warrant filed
A third death warrant for the execution of Nathaniel R. Code Jr. is signed by Caddo Judge Frank H. Thaxton III but the execution, scheduled July 28, 1985, does not happen.
Source: Caddo Parish court records
At left, William T. Code is pictured in this undated photo. Code along with Eric Williams and Joe Robinson Jr. was found dead on Aug. 5, 1987. Nathaniel R. Code Jr., William T Code's grandson, was charged with the killings but never prosecuted. (The Times) -
Post-conviction relief petition filed
Petition for post-conviction relief, writ of habeas corpus and motion for evidentiary heard filed by Nathaniel R. Code Jr.
Source: Caddo Parish court records -
Post-conviction relief petition filed
Code files his original application for post-conviciton relief citing some 17 claims for relief. -
Final motion for extension of time
Code files motion for extension of time to file additional pleadings for post-conviction petition.
Source: The Times research -
Louisiana Supreme Court rules on post-conviction petition
Louisiana Supreme Court orders evidence to be taken on five of the 17 claims raised by Code in his 1995 post-conviction relief petition. -
Code appears in court
Code appears in Caddo district court with his attorneys, Gary Clements and Sam Sweeny, for post-conviction relief hearing. It is the first of at least nine court appearances Code will make between 2003 and 2006 for post-conviction proceedings.
Source: The Times research -
Code's state post-conviction claims denied
Caddo Parish Judge Ramona L. Emanuel denies Code's state post-conviction claims. Code's case now is with the Louisiana Supreme Court. If the lower court's decision is upheld it could mean the end of Code's state level post-conviction appeals. He would have 365 days to file his federal post-conviction appeal.
Source: Caddo Parish court records
At left, Nikki Brown, daughter of homicide victim Deborah Ann Ford. -
Code still on Louisiana's death row
With his state post-conviction appeal under review by the Louisiana Supreme Court, Code lives out his days on Death Row in Angola.
At left, Albert Culbert Jr., brother of Vivian Chaney and Jerry Culbert and uncle of Carlitha Culbert, talks about his frustration waiting for Code to be executed for the murder of his family members. (The Times)
