Two arrested in slayings

• By KIMBERLY VETTER
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: May 7, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:20 a.m.

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Lindsay told detectives her father, Dominique Dantoni Smith, 28, and a woman deputies identified as Trendall Lashel Matthews, 22, were at Doyle’s Bayou Park on Sunday when Jessica Johnson, 23, of St. Francisville, and her 3-year-old son, Juan Palmer Jr., were killed, an arrest affidavit says.

Lindsay told detectives that the woman — later identified as Matthews — was “the attacker,” the affidavit shows.

Gautreaux said both Matthews and Smith have been arrested in the killings, but forensics evidence will determine who actually killed Johnson and her son.

“There is no doubt we have the right individuals,” Gautreaux said.

In addition to witness statements, detectives gathered DNA evidence, fingerprints and blood, Gautreaux said.

Detectives also found the keys to Smith’s car at the park along with the murder weapons. Gautreaux would not say what type of weapons were used.

East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputies arrested Matthews in Jackson while West Feliciana Parish sheriff’s deputies found Smith near St. Francisville, Gautreaux said.

Smith, 11401 Grant St., Wilson, and Matthews, 2424 Charles Drive, Jackson, were booked into Parish Prison on two counts each of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

Matthews denied killing Jessica Johnson and her son, the affidavit says. Matthews said she saw Smith on Sunday and talked with him on the telephone twice but did not go to the park with him.

Matthews and Johnson are cousins, Gautreaux said.

Deputies searched Matthews’ Jackson residence Tuesday for evidence while residents waited outside.