MONROE, Louisiana — The murder trial for Quinton Tellis is happening today in Monroe, Louisiana after being rescheduled multiple times. This case has stretched on for more than a decade.
Tellis is charged in Ouachita Parish with first-degree murder in the 2015 death of 34-year-old Meng-Chen Hsiao, who was found tortured to death in Monroe, Louisiana.
The trial has been set to begin several times, most recently being postponed in December after the death of key expert witness Brigadier General Paul Rowlett, then again in January when ADA Holly Jones had the flu. Earlier this month, the trial was postponed again by the winter storm.
Tellis, 36, has long maintained his innocence in Hsiao’s death. Prosecutors allege he killed Hsiao in order to take her debit card pin. He pleaded guilty to using her card after he was caught on ATM cameras in Vicksburg.
The case has drawn national attention because Tellis was also charged in Mississippi with the 2014 burning death of Jessica Chambers in Panola County. He was tried twice in that case, but both trials ended in mistrials due to hung juries. It is unclear if he will be tried again by the state of Mississippi.
If convicted, Tellis could face a sentence of life in prison or the death penalty.
The proceedings are expected to take place in Ouachita Parish District Court.
