BR police probe attorney’s death

• By KIMBERLY VETTER AND JOE GYAN JR.
• Advocate staff writers
• Published: Feb 21, 2009 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Police late Friday were still investigating the slaying of Baton Rouge defense attorney Chiquita Tate, who was found stabbed to death in her downtown office.

No arrests had been made and no suspects had been named in the killing late Friday. But, Tate’s husband, Gregory Harris, 37, was booked into Parish Prison on a count of simple battery/domestic violence, said police spokesman Cpl. L’Jean McKneely.

The arrest stemmed from a Dec. 22, 2007, incident involving Harris and Tate, 34, at the couple’s home at 3514 Cherry St. in Baker, McKneely said. Harris arrived at their home and questioned Tate about where she had been, said Baker Police Chief Mike Knapps on Friday. The couple, who were not married at the time, argued and Harris shoved Tate down onto the bed, Knapps said. Baker police were called to the home and observed Tate to have fresh scratches and red marks on her arms and shoulders.

Tate’s body was found about 6 a.m. Friday in her law office, located inside the State National Life Building at 263 Third St., McKneely said. Officers made the discovery after receiving a 911 call from Harris, who wanted someone to check on his wife, he said.

The initial investigation revealed that somebody entered the private suite that housed Tate’s office and stabbed her multiple times, McKneely said.

The killing was “an isolated incident,” McKneely said, adding that “there is no concern” the killer poses a threat to anyone else downtown.

Tate’s eldest sister, Michelle Tate, said that when Chiquita Tate did not come home Thursday night, Harris started looking for her.
Tate’s brother, Jonathan Tate, said Harris called him about 7 a.m. and said his sister “didn’t make it.”

“I can’t believe my sister is dead,” Michelle Tate said through tears. “Who could have done this to her?”

Police detained and questioned Harris because he was the one who called 911 and asked that police check on his wife at her office, McKneely said.

Police also had Harris’ black Mercedes and Tate’s maroon Hummer towed from a parking lot near Tate’s office. McKneely said the cars would be searched for evidence.

Mazie Toussaint Roberson, an attorney who works in the State National Life building, said she saw Tate’s car in the parking lot at 5:15 p.m. Thursday when she left work and went to a fundraiser.

Roberson said she saw Tate’s car in the parking lot again between 11:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. Thursday when she left the fundraiser to go home.

“It got to me when I saw that Hummer on the flatbed,” she said Friday morning.