NEW ORLEANS — The mother who allegedly tried to help her son with a false alibi after a fatal second line shooting, appeared in court on Wednesday. Her bond was set over $100,000, according to court records.
A judge approved that Ashley Gray, 40, would be released on house arrest for 24 hours if she posts bond. The Louisiana State Police and NOPD arrested her on one count of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder at her home in River Ridge on Monday, Dec. 9.
Gray must also enroll in pre-trial diversion. A court docket shows that she could appear in court again in early February of next year.
An arrest warrant obtained by WWL Louisiana says an iCloud message history showed Gray and her son, Curtis J. Gray, both attended the 26th annual Nine Times Social Aid & Pleasure Club second line parade on Nov. 17, but they were not around each other at the time of the shooting.
Cell phone records showed that Ashley Gray stayed near Almonaster and N Tonti while her son Curtis Gray was near the crime scene during the shooting. Days after the shooting, Ashley Gray texted her son about changing his phone number and told him, "you was with us anyway the [whole] time."
Curtis J. Gray was arrested on Dec. 6 on two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Rasean "Turtle" Carter, 21, and Malachi "Pumpkin" Jackson, 19, and his mother was detained for questioning. The weapon that Curtis Gray allegedly used was owned by his mother.
During questioning, Ashley Gray told investigators that her gun had been stolen out of her vehicle months ago but she did not report it as stolen and paid to replace her broken windows on her own without insurance.
Investigators say Curtis Gray gave them the same alibi as his mother, "which demonstrated apparent collusion."
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams held a press conference on Monday to update media on the arrest of the accused shooter's mother.
"I fully expect, that this mother, will be facing, additional charges more than what she's been booked with so far," he told media. "She chose to insert herself into this case after very clear, stern warning not to.
Anyone with additional information that can assist in this investigation is urged to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300.
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