NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Jalen Harvey, who was found guilty of killing Joseph Vindel on the West Bank of New Orleans during a dirt bike sale, was sentenced to life in prison, a Jefferson Parish judge ruled Thurs, Oct. 6.
Jurors found Harvey guilty of first-degree murder in early September.
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The Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office says Vindel, a New Orleans area real estate agent, advertised his dirt bike’s sale through the OfferUp marketplace app. Harvey, who authorities say used a fake name and phone number on the app, responded to the advertisement with plans to use fake money to purchase the motorcycle while armed with a semiautomatic pistol. The DA says Vindel was also armed, but never chambered a round.
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Harvey’s defense team argued that Vindel pointed his gun at their client first and that Harvey fired in self-defense.
Experts testified Vindel’s wounds were consistent with being shot in the face and then turning away defensively as Harvey continued shooting him through his front passenger’s side window.
Investigators say after the shooting, Harvey drove Vindel’s SUV to New Orleans for over an hour with his body inside. They say Harvey then took the dirt bike off the back of the SUV and drove it back to the west bank.
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