Douglas DiLosa

Jefferson Parish, LA

Douglas DiLosa

Sept 27, 1986 (Kenner)

Douglas A. DiLosa was convicted of the murder of his wife, Glinda. When police arrived at DiLosa's condominium following a 911 call from his son, they found DiLosa tied up on the living room floor. His wife was found bound and strangled on a bed. DiLosa said he was awakened about 3:30 a.m. to noises downstairs. When he investigated, he discovered two black male intruders. The intruders him beat him unconscious. When he recovered from his unconsciousness, he found himself bound and the house in shambles. He called out to his son and instructed him to dial 911. The crime occurred at Apartment 7-C, Chardonnay Village Condominiums, 1500 West Esplanade Ave. in Kenner, LA.

In time, DiLosa was arrested for Glinda's murder based on an alleged lack of evidence supporting his version of events. Investigators also discovered a possible motive. DiLosa was out of work, his unemployment benefits were about to run out, a large payment was near due on the condo, and his wife's life was insured for a substantial sum. At trial the prosecution focused on the lack of evidence that any other perpetrator besides DiLosa committed the crime. During his closing argument, the prosecutor told the jury, "There was not one, not one shred of black hair found in that residence." And he also stated, "Did you hear any evidence about any other houses that were hit that night?"

However, there was evidence supporting DiLosa's version of events, but it was withheld from the defense: (1) Hair of a non-Caucasian type was found on the rope around Glinda's neck and on the bed where her body was discovered. (2) Fingerprints were found in the condo that could not be positively identified. (3) An attempted break-in occurred at a nearby condo. (4) A taxi driver had seen a car occupied by two black men exit the condo complex at 5:45 a.m. The taxi driver said the car's driver looked "tense," faced straight ahead while gripping the steering wheel, and was driving very slowly.

In 2002, the federal 5th Circuit Court overturned DiLosa's conviction due to the withholding of evidence. It is not known if DiLosa was retried, but a reference source lists DiLosa as having been exonerated in 2003. (DiLosa v. Cain) [10/08]