A woman has been booked with second degree murder after the man she is accused of stabbing more than a week ago in the Desire Neighborhood died Sunday (Oct. 22), according to the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office.
Travis Thomas, 35, was stabbed more than once in the legs on Oct. 13 in the 3400 block of Louisa Street. Thomas was brought to University Medical Center and died Sunday from "sharp force injuries," the Coroner's Office said.
According to an initial police report, Thomas was stabbed just before 2:50 a.m. by his girlfriend, Valencia Kelly, 32, after the couple got into an argument that turned physical.
Valencia Kelly was booked into Orleans Justice Center last week (Oct. 13) on one charge of attempted second-degree murder. Her charge was changed to second-degree murder when Travis Thomas died Sunday.
Valencia Kelly was booked into Orleans Justice Center last week (Oct. 13) on one charge of attempted second-degree murder. Her charge was changed to second-degree murder when Travis Thomas died Sunday.
Surveillance video shows Kelly stabbing Thomas, according to documents read in court Tuesday. When police arrived at the scene, Thomas was bleeding "profusely" from both legs.
Jasmine Williams, 28, who identified herself at Thomas' cousin, said his family called him Taz, "because he looked like the Tasmanian Devil, from the cartoon."
Williams said Thomas leaves behind seven children, ranging from ages 5 to 17. Kelly is the mother of the youngest three - ages 5, 8 and 9.
"He was a family-oriented person, everything was about his kids. He loved his kids more than anything," Williams said.
Williams said her cousin was a happy, outgoing and friendly person who loved to dance and crack jokes.
"He was always smiling and laughing, there was never a dull moment with Taz," she said.
Thomas' younger brother, Nygell Thomas, said he was kind, generous and, "loved his kids with his whole heart."
"He looked out for me, took care of me. He was a blessing to my life," Nygell Thomas, 28, said about his brother.
Kelly and Thomas began dating 12 years ago, according to Thomas' mother Sharon Thomas Lockett. Kelly had been violent in arguments with Thomas in the past, Lockett said, but he cared about Kelly too much to press charges.
"That's the type of heart he had," Lockett said. "If he was still alive I know he would forgive her because that's the kind of heart he had."
Lockett said when she last saw her son, she had a feeling something bad would happen soon.
"I just wanted to take my baby home," Lockett said.
According to Lockett, some of Thomas' children were there when he was stabbed. She said she found out about the attack from her 11-year-old grandson, who was there when it happen
Kelly was booked into Orleans Justice Center just after 9:15 a.m. Monday, on one charge of attempted second-degree murder. She appeared in magistrate court later that morning, where Orleans Parish Magistrate Commissioner Jonathan Friedman set her bond at $50,000 and appointed a public defender to her case.
The day after Thomas died, Kelly's charge was updated to second-degree murder. She appeared again in magistrate court Tuesday, where Orleans Parish Magistrate Judge Harry Cantrell increased her bond to $200,000.
Kelly appeared distraught at court Tuesday, crying quietly at times and was heard saying to an officer, "I keep beating myself up over what happened."
Lockett said Kelly has a 13-year-old daughter in addition to the three children she has with Thomas.
"I'm angry and heartbroken, and I feel sad for the children, but I pray that God will get her the help she needs," Lockett said when asked about Kelly.
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