Accused Cagle murderer to appear before grand jury

Robert Nelson, the man accused of murdering Ouachita Council on Aging assistant director Shirley Cagle at her Monroe home last week, will appear before a grand jury Thursday to determine whether he will be charged with first-degree murder, which carries a possible death sentence.

Police arrested Nelson and charged him with second degree murder, but assistant 4th District Attorney Neal Johnson said Tuesday a first-degree murder indictment from the Ouachita Parish Grand Jury "is certainly a possibility."

"All of the options are on the table for the grand jury," said Johnson, the prosecutor who will present evidence against Nelson.

Nelson is being held in Ouachita Correctional Center with a $2 million bond.

Cagle, 85, was well known in the community from her role at the Ouachita Council on Aging. She was the sister of state Rep. Frank Hoffmann, R-West Monroe.

A memorial service celebrating Cagle's life was held Tuesday morning in the chapel of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe.

"Shirley enjoyed every single day," Janet Durden, president of the United Way of Northeast Louisiana, said after Cagle's death. "She loved life and she loved people and she gave of herself to every person she met. She has been the rock at the Council on Aging for 30 plus years. She will be missed more than words can describe."

Johnson said a verbal report from the coroner showed two major injuries that could have caused Cagle's death — a blow to her face with a blunt object and a cut on her throat.

Nelson, 26, whose address is listed as 2005 Milton in Monroe, was arrested early Friday morning by Monroe police when they responded to a burglary complaint at Fort Miro apartments on Oliver Road.

Police said while they were questioning Nelson about the burglary, he confessed to killing Cagle during a burglary at her Isabelle Street home, which is near Oliver Road. Police said Nelson told them he didn't mean to kill her.

Monroe police and firefighters then went to Cagle's home, where they found her body and evidence of arson. Police believe Nelson tried to burn Nelson's home after her death to conceal evidence, but he was unsuccessful.

Police said Nelson's grandmother was friends with Cagle and that he knew her. There was no sign of forced entry into Cagle's home.

Cagle's body was found in the back room of her home. Police believe Nelson stole a TV from Cagle.

Johnson said he will present evidence in addition to Nelson's confession.

"There is a large amount of physical evidence outside of the confession," he said.

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