Accused killer faces trial on drug, debit card charges Monday
A man accused of murder in Mississippi will appear 9 a.m. Monday in 4th Judicial District Court for trial unrelated to the out-of-state case.
Quinton Tellis, 27, is also a suspect in the August death of University of Louisiana at Monroe alumna Meing-Chen Hsiao, 34, of Taiwan.
At Monday’s trial, Tellis faces charges of unauthorized use of an access card and possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.
According to arrest reports in the case, Tellis used a debit card belonging to a homicide victim, later identified as Hsiao, for three separate transactions, a $0.07 charge at 10:56 p.m. Aug. 7, a $500 charge at 8:35 p.m. Aug. 18 and a $500 charge at 3:04 a.m. Aug. 19. The suspect was identified in ATM photos.
Hsiao, a University of Louisiana at Monroe alumna, was found dead at her apartment in the 400 block of Filhiol Avenue on Aug. 8. Autopsy reports indicated she was stabbed.
Police say former ULM student was stabbed
When Monroe Police Department officers searched Tellis’ home following his arrest, one-quarter pound of marijuana packaged for sale was located. Tellis reportedly told officers he sold marijuana for profit.
In a bill of information filed in court on Oct. 19, Tellis was accused of one count unauthorized use of an access card between July 29 and August 20 and one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.
In a notice filed on May 5 by Assistant District Attorney Neal Johnson, the state said it intends to use evidence of other crimes committed by the defendant.
Detailed in the document is information concerning the marijuana charge and the defendant's relationship with Hsiao. Tellis reportedly told detectives he and Hsiao filled a prescription for Lortab at the Wal-Mart neighborhood market on DeSiard Street on July 28. Tellis said he purchased the Lortab from Hsiao for $50 and intended to resell it.
Also on May 5, Defense Attorney Randall Donald filed a motion asking the court to prevent discussion of Hsiao’s death and the December 2014 death of Jessica Chambers, 19, in Mississippi, during legal proceedings.
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Chambers was discovered on the roadside with burns over 98 percent of her body. She later died in Courtland as a result of her injuries.
Tellis was indicted on capital murder charges Feb. 24 by a Panola County grand jury in relation to Chambers’ death.
At a news conference held following the indictment of Tellis in Mississippi, local officials discussed progress in the Hsiao case and any future actions that would be taken.
Police Chief Quentin Holmes described the Hsiao murder investigation as complex and said Mississippi investigators talked to more than 150 people and reviewed 20,000 pages of phone records before securing an indictment.
“I want to emphasize two things,” Holmes said. “One is speculation and one is fact. The speculation is he is not ever going to get out of jail again There is enough evidence between both states that he will never walk the streets again. I’m also confident this is a person who needs to stay in jail. We know that from the investigative process.”
Assistant District Attorney Neal Johnson said Tellis is facing life in prison in Louisiana as a habitual offender if convicted on his current charges. He is also facing life in prison in Mississippi if convicted of capital murder in the Chambers case.
“This is a legal strategy we are using,” Johnson said. “We are confident he is facing two life sentences. At the conclusion of the Mississippi trial, we will evaluate whether it’s necessary to take him to trial on a third one.”
The court also will hold pre-trial hearings on motions in the Tellis case on Monday.
READ MORE: Breaking news and additional arrest reports for northeast Louisiana parishes.