Laura Collins, 39, has been convicted of the second-degree murder of her fiancé, Gerald Robichaux, 50. The conviction came Friday in Orleans Parish court, where jurors deliberated for 90 minutes before rejecting Collins' defense that she acted in self-defense. Robichaux had posted $45,000 bond for Collins, who was awaiting trial for a fatal hit-and-run.
Collins is also awaiting sentencing for the manslaughter and obstruction of justice charges related to the January 9, 2020, death of cyclist Lloyd Smith, 62. Collins struck Smith with her Jeep Cherokee and fled the scene. Medical experts testified that the impact caused Smith severe internal injuries, including decapitation and a severed aorta.
According to court documents, Collins called Robichaux immediately after striking Smith and sent him text messages that implicated herself in the crime. Her attorneys had attempted to portray her as a victim of domestic violence during the trial, referencing bodycam footage where Collins told a responding officer she placed Robichaux in a "sleeper hold" after he allegedly attacked her for livestreaming on a dating site.
However, responding Officer Lanie DeRoche Morgan testified that she found Collins' account inconsistent with the physical evidence at the scene, including a bruise on Robichaux's head. Jail records also indicate Collins had prior bookings for domestic violence and violation of a protection order. A criminologist called as a witness suggested Collins may have been a victim of coercive control, but this was countered by the prior domestic violence charges.
While awaiting trial and now convicted of her fiancé's murder, Collins has filed a civil lawsuit against Orleans Justice Center officials. She alleges she has been subjected to beatings, sexual harassment, and starvation, claiming to have been fed expired milk and food containing "bugs." Collins also claims she was assaulted by a deputy and threatened by other officers.
In her lawsuit, Collins is seeking $500,000 in damages, a transfer to a different facility, and disciplinary action against the staff involved. She has also filed a pauper order to delay legal fees. The defendants have denied all claims, stating in a motion to dismiss that Collins, who is white, also alleged prejudice and racist remarks, which they deny.
The civil suit remains ongoing. Collins is scheduled to learn her sentence for the criminal convictions on July 30. Prosecutors have indicated that the second-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence.