Man Booked In Beating Death Of St. Helena Man

GREENBURG, La. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a 32-year-old man accused in the beating death of a 76-year-old Greensburg resident on Aug. 7.

St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Office Chief of Detectives Joe Chaney tells The Advocate Michael Lynn Halford of was booked with first-degree murder around 7 p.m. Friday.

Halford was arrested in the death of John Hornsby.

A mail carrier who arrived at Hornsby's home around 10 a.m. Aug. 7 found Hornsby's home burned.

St. Helena deputies called to the scene found Hornsby's body lying in the front yard.

Chaney said Hornsby died as a result of blunt-force trauma to the head.

He said the motive for the death is unclear and the case is still under investigation.

It was unclear whether Halford has an attorney.