The civil suit filed against Brad Laird last fall in connection with the murder of NSU student-athlete Ronnie Caldwell, Jr. has been dismissed with full prejudice. Such action took place in the 10th Judicial District Court on June 20. The matter came before Judge Layla B.Sylvester for a hearing on the Motion for Summary Judgment filed by the attorneys for the defendant, Laird. A dismissal with full prejudice means the plaintiff cannot refile the same claim again in that court. The family of the slain student filed the suit saying the death was senseless and preventable. Ronnie Caldwell, Jr, 21, was killed on Oct. 21 in his apartment at the Quad Apartments, an off- campus complex across the highway from Northwestern. Nobody has been charged with his death, however, two were arrested on drug and gun charges. Following the death, remainder of the Demon football season was cancelled and head coach Laird resigned. Laird has since been hired as the head football coach for Natchitoches Central High School. Also named in the lawsuit was the complex management company Campus Advantage, and the State of Louisiana through the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System, doing business as Northwestern State University.
July 14, 2026
