A New Orleans man and woman are accused of killing witnesses in a staged accident plot

There was a bombshell development in a high-profile, staged wreck program first reported by WDSU Investigates six years ago. Court records show two people appeared in federal court Monday charged with murdering a witness. Nearly 50 people have pleaded guilty since the first WDSU investigation aired. All involved admitted to faking car accidents involving 18-wheelers to fraudulently collect insurance premiums. In 2020, a key witness to the plan, Cornelius Garrison, was assassinated at his home in Gentilly. Those formally charged in Garrison’s murder are Ryan J. Harris, also known as “Red,” and Jovanna R. Gardner. According to court records, both are charged with conspiracy to commit witness tampering with murder and conspiracy to retaliate against a witness with murder. The case has been in the dark for almost four years. Numerous attorneys familiar with the case confirmed that a New Orleans man and woman have been charged in Garrison’s death. They appeared for an initial hearing in the district court on Monday. The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the matter and did not return calls from WDSU about the matter. Garrison was indicted by the federal government in 2020 days before his murder. He was charged with mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud for his alleged role in the staged accidents. Garrison, a key player in the plan, cooperated with the federal government. It is not known what prompted the federal government to make the arrests. After WDSU Investigates first reported the matter, state leaders changed laws to protect truck drivers and trucking companies in light of the fraudulent lawsuits. Although attorneys were contacted about their possible role in the case, only one of them was ever charged; Patrick “Danny” Keating. He pleaded guilty and is still awaiting sentencing. The full indictment can be found here.