Kenner police say a 35-year-old local man who tried to outrun a stabbing investigation all the way to Texas is now back in Louisiana and facing an attempted second-degree murder charge.
Detectives announced Friday that Michael Lathers has been arrested and extradited in connection with a Dec. 17 attack on the 400 block of Morey Street that left an adult man with multiple stab wounds and a bite injury. Investigators say Lathers bolted from Kenner immediately after the violence and vanished from the area before they tracked him to the outskirts of Houston, where he was arrested after a short foot chase and later booked into the Kenner City Jail.
Investigation and Arrest
Kenner investigators say they located Lathers with help from Homeland Security Investigations in Houston and moved in on him on the city’s outskirts, according to a post from the Kenner Police Department. Officers caught him after a brief foot pursuit, then arranged to have him extradited back to Jefferson Parish, where he was booked into the Kenner City Jail to await prosecution.
“This arrest is a direct result of persistent investigative work and strong interagency partnerships,” Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said in the post.
Charges and Next Steps
Kenner detectives obtained a warrant charging Lathers with attempted second-degree murder, according to the department. Under Louisiana law, attempted second-degree murder can carry a sentence of 10 to 50 years at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence, the 16th Judicial District Attorney's office notes in a press release.
Lathers is expected to make an initial court appearance in Jefferson Parish. Police have not released the victim’s name or any additional court dates.
What Police Say Now
Kenner police say the investigation remains active and are asking anyone with information about the Dec. 17 attack to contact detectives. The department’s Facebook post includes the latest update and additional case details as detectives prepare the warrant packet for the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office.
