[01/23/01] The East Carroll Parish grand jury has returned two murder indictments and five other charges against Jesse James Caston, who made it to the FBI’s 10 most wanted in April before his December arrest.

Jurors ruled Caston, 35, should stand trial on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Sharon McIntire and second degree murder in the death of his wife, Angela Caston. McIntire and Angela Caston were killed April 10.

The two indictments for attempted murder say Caston shot at two Lake Providence police officers, Virgie Hawkins and Renee Jones, who were trying to arrest him for the shootings of the two women. Three additional indictments for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon were also handed down.

Caston was captured Dec. 20 at the home of his father, Tokie Caston, in a Lake Providence neighborhood. He was discovered in the house after officers were unsuccessful in finding him in West Carroll Parish. When federal and local officers entered the house, they encountered Jesse Caston armed with an M-1 carbine. The officers were able to escape without a shot being fired and summon aid.

About an hour after that incident, East Carroll Parish Sheriff Mark Shumate and James D. “Buddy” Caldwell, district attorney of the Sixth Judicial District, were able to convince Jesse Caston to surrender. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

He was transferred to state custody because he was on parole for a previous charge and housed first at the Hunt Correctional Center at St. Gabriel. He was later transferred to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.

Although he has not been charged in the deaths, officials have said Jesse Caston remained the prime suspect in the deaths of James B. Kelly and his son, James M. “Bubba” Kelly, who were found shot to death on a Mississippi River Levee Dec. 18.

No trial date has been set on any of the indictments.

Caston is scheduled to appear in Sixth District Court Feb. 5 for an arraignment.

His court appointed attorney, Leroy Smith of Tallulah said he believes his client intends to plead not guilty at the arraignment.

Smith said he has talked with his client briefly on one occasion and is still working on putting together Caston’s defense.

“I’m making arrangements to see him,” Smith said.