A New Orleans man has been convicted of the murder of a woman and her father just days after meeting her on a dating app. Jamal Harris, 41, was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder, obstruction of justice, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm by Judge Donald Rowan Jr. in Jefferson Parish district court.
The Murders and Motive
The killings took place on October 3, 2020, when Jessica Troulliet, 35, and her father, Robert “Robbie” Templet Jr., 56, were shot and killed in the early hours of the morning.
Authorities said Harris killed them in a jealous rage after a brief in-person meeting with Troulliet, who had been texting another man. Prosecutors argued that Harris was angered by Troulliet’s lack of attraction to him, calling the murders an act of irrational violence driven by hurt feelings.
The victims’ bodies were found around 1:51 a.m. inside Troulliet’s SUV, which was parked on Fourth Street in Marrero. Both victims had been shot in the head by someone seated in the back seat, authorities said.
Investigation and Evidence
Investigators traced Harris’ movements through cell phone records and text messages, revealing that he and Troulliet were in contact throughout the night of the murders.
Harris initially told authorities he had left Troulliet’s house early that evening, but cell phone data showed they were together later on the night of the killings, with their phones “married up” in proximity to each other.
Troulliet had sent text messages referring to Harris as a “goofy pumpkin-lookin’ dude,” expressing her discomfort with him and attempting to get a friend to help her remove him from her home.
Harris’ phone continued to ping near the murder scene and later near his home in New Orleans, where investigators also found DNA evidence linking him to the crime.
Victims’ Legacy and Family Reactions
Troulliet’s mother, Christine Savoie, has been raising her grandchildren since the murders. “It’s been six years,” she said after the verdict was delivered. “Now, I can go home and tell my babies that someone is going to be punished for what they did.”
Troulliet’s children, aged 12, 11, and 16 months, are still grieving their mother’s loss. Her youngest son showed grace and compassion, saying, “But he made a mistake,” after hearing about Harris’ conviction.
Friends and family remembered Troulliet as a generous, charismatic, and free-spirited woman who loved life and was dedicated to her children. She and her father shared a special bond, often described as “two peas in a pod.”
Warnings for Others and Sentencing
The family expressed the hope that Troulliet and Templet’s deaths would serve as a warning to others about the dangers of meeting strangers online. “Don’t meet people online,” Savoie said. “You don’t know who they are.”
Harris’ sentencing is scheduled for May 8, where he will face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the two murders.
