A Jefferson Parish jury on Thursday found Byron Spottsville, 23, guilty of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice for the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Zashaun Espinoza at Fred Dorsey Playground in Westwego. Prosecutors said Spottsville shot Espinoza after targeting him because he believed Espinoza had opioid pills.
Evidence presented at trial
According to the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office, jurors convicted Spottsville after roughly 90 minutes of deliberation. Prosecutors said Spottsville left his home wearing a ski mask and carrying a handgun, intending to obtain drugs. The attack occurred while Espinoza sat on bleachers texting his girlfriend, waiting to be picked up.
- Spottsville fired multiple rounds at Espinoza; prosecutors said the victim was struck seven times.
- Espinoza suffered a broken femur after being shot in the thigh and later was shot in the head while incapacitated, prosecutors told jurors.
- Investigators say Spottsville removed Espinoza’s shoulder bag — which contained only a bottle of cologne and a bracelet — then discarded it and hid his clothing, ski mask and a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol.
- Spottsville allegedly returned to the scene wrapped in a towel stolen from a nearby residence, prompting questions from neighbors and police.
“He stood over that man and shot him at least twice while he was helpless and incapacitated on the ground,”
The statement above was made by an assistant district attorney during closing arguments, characterizing the prosecution’s account of the fatal shots.
Charges and verdict
| Defendant | Charges | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Byron Spottsville, 23 | Second-degree murder; obstruction of justice | Guilty on both counts |
Prosecutors said Spottsville lived near the playground with his grandparents and had spent the day attempting to obtain narcotics before confronting Espinoza. The defense’s arguments, sentencing date and any mitigation presented were not detailed in the prosecutor’s statement released after the verdict.
Context and consequences
The conviction underscores prosecutors’ contention that the shooting arose from a deliberate effort to obtain opioids and that the defendant took steps to conceal the crime afterward. Obstruction charges stem from actions alleged to have been taken to hide clothing, a weapon and other evidence, then returning to the scene in a towel.
Sentencing will be scheduled according to Jefferson Parish court procedures. As is standard, defendants are presumed innocent until convicted, and any appeals or post-trial motions may follow the verdict.
This case highlights intersections between drug-seeking behavior and lethal violence in communities, and will be followed for developments at sentencing and any appellate filings.
