U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that this afternoon, a jury returned a guilty verdict against NEMESSIS BATES for his participation in the November 2010 murder of Christopher “Tiger” Smith.

The jury found BATES, age 36, of Kenner, guilty as charged of solicitation to commit a crime of violence, use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, causing death through the use of a firearm, and conspiracy to possess firearms.

According to court documents, on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 8:10 p.m., Christopher Smith was found by Jefferson Parish Sheriff (“JPSO”) deputies lying in the doorway of his Gretna apartment, after having been shot at least twenty times. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. JPSO’s investigation ultimately revealed that BATES paid co-defendants, AARON SMITH, a/k/a “Beadie,” a/k/a “Beedie,” and WALTER PORTER, a/k/a “Moonie,” a/k/a “Urkel,” $20,000 to murder Christopher Smith. AARON SMITH previously pled guilty and awaits sentencing. WALTER PORTER is awaiting trial.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance set sentencing for September 9, 2015. BATES faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Liz Privitera and Greg Kennedy are in charge of the prosecution.