After meeting for two days, an Evangeline Parish Grand Jury released one and returned a “true bill” against another in a murder case.

The grand jury returned a “no-true” bill against Gregory Coutee for the murder of Selento Smith. It also returned a “true” bill in the same case against Brian Keith Thomas, 30.

A previous grand jury returned a true bill against Gregory Coutee, according to District Attorney Brent Coreil. However as officials investigated this case further and more people came forward with information, the district attorney’s office determined it would be in the best interest of justice to represent that case to the grand jury. As a result, Thomas has been charged with the second-degree murder of Selento Smith, which occurred April 5, 2007.

Judge John Larry Vidrine increased Thomas’ bond by $500,000, which brings his bond to a total of $1,150,000. Thomas is awaiting trial on two counts of attempted murder. Arraignment of Thomas has been scheduled for November 6, at 9 a.m. in Division A.

The maximum penalty for second-degree murder shall be life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.

Raymond Lejeune presented the cases to the grand jury on behalf of the State of Louisiana.

Two other cases were considered by the grand jury in which “no true” bills were returned.