In 1993, businessman Ralph Flowers was stabbed in St. James Parish, and local man Keith Ezidore was convicted for the killing and sentenced to life in prison. He has maintained his innocence.
Appeals Court Overturns Conviction
On October 22, 2025, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal reversed Ezidore’s conviction, citing problems in the original trial and insufficient evidence (lailluminator.com). The decision effectively vacated his life sentence, which had kept him incarcerated for 32 years.
The appeals court’s decision came amid growing scrutiny of old convictions in Louisiana and calls for fairness in the justice system.
Bail Hearing Denied
After the conviction was overturned, Ezidore’s attorneys sought to have him released on bail while prosecutors decide whether to retry the case.
On Oct. 14, 2025, the bail hearing took place in St. James Parish, but District Court Judge Tess Stromberg denied the request. The judge cited the serious nature of the original charge and a pending appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court by Attorney General Liz Murrill as reasons for denying bail (lailluminator.com).
As a result, Ezidore remains in custody despite the appeals court decision.
Public Reaction & Next Steps
Ezidore’s supporters and family expressed frustration that he remains behind bars after the appellate ruling, arguing that he should be allowed to await further proceedings at home.
The Attorney General’s office asked the Louisiana Supreme Court to reverse the appeals court’s decision; the high court has not yet scheduled a hearing.
Legal experts note that while an overturned conviction typically warrants a bail hearing, Louisiana judges retain discretion to deny bail in cases involving severe crimes.
Sources
This article summarizes reports from Louisiana Illuminator and other local news outlets published on October 22, 2025 (lailluminator.com). It is written from a neutral perspective to provide context on an evolving legal case.
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