Karma finds killer in Kentwood after 7 years
Friday, April 1, 1927, St. Helena Parish Sheriff W. N. Nettles was the victim of a rather severe April Fool’s Day trick. That morning, Howard Redman, a laborer working for affluent dairyman Robert R. Travis, confessed to the murder of his brother-in-law, John Brecheen. According to Redman, Breechen shot at him first, and he returned fire in self-defense. Redman told Sheriff Nettles the only reason he was in handcuffs instead of Beecheen was due to him being a better shot.
However, before the day ended, five witnesses questioned by the sheriff described a different crime scene. Breechen, visiting from Texas, they said, had been unarmed, and the shotgun murderer who killed him was, in reality, Redman’s employer, Robert Travis.
Sheriff Nettles arrested Travis the next day, jailing both men until he could sort events out. However, the following day, both men walked free. Robert’s mother, Lizzie Travis, arrived with a New Orleans lawyer and paid $3,000 in bail bonds, $1,500 per prisoner.
One month later, both men stood before a judge and twelve jurors. The following summary is from the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Sunday, May 15, 1927:
“In Greensburg, Louisiana, Saturday, May 14, having deliberated for almost twenty-four hours, the jury in the case of Howard Redmond and Robert Travis tried on the charge of having murdered John Brecheen, discharged today after informing Judge Columbus Reid, presiding, that there was no chance of agreeing on a verdict.”
“Large crowds have been attending the trial. Travis is a well-known Dairyman, and Redmond is in his employ.”
“During the trial, Redmond, a witness on his own behalf, testified that he killed Breeheen and acted in self-defense. Travis claimed that he was in no way connected to the killing and was not present when it occurred. Travis’ mother and sister, Redmond’s estranged wife and daughter, and a neighbor, witnesses for the prosecution, testified otherwise.”
“Attentions shown Redmond’s estranged wife by Brecheen are said to have aroused the hostility of Redmond, who claimed that the shooting occurred at his dwelling when Redmond called there to obtain some of Mrs. Redmond’s belongings for her.”
“On motion of the defense council, bail for the two accused was raised to the sum of three thousand dollars each, and both men were freed when their bonds were signed. The state sought a change of venue to Livingston Parish, announced by District Attorney Ponder. Judge Reid indicated that he would hear the motion at a later date, but the court will not be in regular session until September.”
“A jury poll revealed that eleven jury members were in favor of returning a guilty verdict of manslaughter for both Travis and Redmond while one held out for the acquittal of both accused.”
Almost a century later, the case has yet to return to trial. Justice has remained elusive for the family of John Brecheen. However, some believe karma was more forthcoming.
The following report is from The New Orleans Item, Tuesday, January 2, 1934:
“Renewal of the Travis-Bridges feud in Tangipahoa Parish left Robert “Bob” Travis and his bodyguard, Bill Mixon, dead yesterday in Kentwood. The shooting appears to have resulted from attention Travis gave another man’s wife.”
“The officers there said that Travis disregarded a warning to stay out of the Second Ward of the parish, where the woman lived, but he continued his visits armed with his shotgun and traveling with Mixon, who carried a pistol.”
“Their bullet-riddled bodies were found at a bridge crossing a stream between Spring Creek and the town of Tangipahoa, six miles from Kentwood. Investigators believe the shooters surprised the two men as neither victim had fired their weapons.”
“The families have had a reputation for shooting it out for years. Officials believe the problems started when Robert Travis agreed to pay Claude Bridges to hang a jury in a 1927 murder trial but reneged on payment.”