[StBernard] Argument over cellphone ends with car smashing into Violet home

[Westley Annis]

Argument over cellphone ends with car smashing into Violet home

by WWLTV.com
wwltv.com
Posted on April 29, 2011 at 8:00 AM

ST. BERNARD, La. - An argument over a cellphone ended with a car plowing
into Violet home and a couple facing attempted murder charges.

David "Poochie" Johnson, 38, and Courtney Major, 30, were booked with
attempted murder of Kendrick Bailey and armed robbery, according to the St.
Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office.

According to the sheriff's office, Johnson and Major accused a woman of
stealing a cellphone and snatched a purse.  As they tried to drive away,
Bailey reached inside the car and tried to grab the purse.  Johnson
allegedly held on to Bailey, and Major, who was driving, lost control of the
car and smashed through a house, struck a vehicle and hit a second house on
Licciardi Lane.
"Major allegedly pulled a knife on Becky Mackles, 27, of Violet, during the
argument over the cellphone and Mackles' purse was taken, then she and
Johnson attempted to drive off, which led Bailey to reach into the vehicle,"
Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Bailey suffered a broken jaw and head and rib injuries in the crash and was
taken to University Hospital in New Orleans.  The resident inside the second
home suffered minor injuries, according to the sheriff's office.

Major and Johnson fled on foot after the crash and were captured several
hours later in Mereaux, according to the sheriff's office.

Major and Johnson were booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison. Johnson was
being held on $300,000 bond and Major on bond of $225,000.