GRETNA, La. — The man accused in the murder of his friend, and who escaped custody by pepper spraying a Jefferson Parish deputy and then stole her squad car, was convicted by a jury on Wednesday.
A Jefferson Parish jury convicted Leon Ruffin, 51, of second-degree murder for shooting to death his long-time friend Gannon Johnson, 53.
Jurors handed up their verdict after a quick deliberation following a 3-day long trial at the Gretna Courthouse.
He was also found guilty of obstruction of justice, two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, and aggravated criminal damage to property.
In July of 2023, Ruffin killed Johnson outside his home on Federal Drive in Avondale Jefferson Parish Assistant District Attorneys Piper Didier and Thomas Block told the jury.
Security cameras caught Ruffin shooting his friend after driving a rental car to Johnson’s house and then asking him to jumpstart the car. Ruffin shot Johnson as he removed the jumper cables according to police.
Ruffin was eventually arrested and held at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna.
Bold Escape and Manhunt
In February, Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said a JPSO deputy transported Ruffin to Ochsner Medical Center West Bank after he seemed to have suffered some sort of seizure. Detectives later found that the seizure was faked so Ruffin could attempt an escape. Hospital security cameras watched as Ruffin pepper-sprayed the escorting deputy and then drove off in her squad car.
A manhunt was then underway and Ruffin was eventually recaptured two days later at the Trident Hotel in New Orleans East.
Following his conviction, Ruffin is being held without bond and he is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24.