Monroe Cold Case

Cold cases get boxed away and stored on a shelf - but no doubt - they stay on the minds of deputies and victim's families. Now a Monroe woman gives us a glimpse into her murdered son's cold case. Last year deputies getting a break in the case and making an arrest. Now the accused gunman is finally heading to trial almost a decade later.

The scene is McGuire Ranch Road in Monroe, December 24, 1999 -- where the body of 24 year old Alonzo Hiley was found. For eight long years -- Hiley's mother -- Mattie Potter had no answers. All she knew is that her son was gunned down over a necklace. But like many unsolved cases in Ouachita Parish -- deputies never let this case go cold.

After years of silence -- an eyewitness -- out of guilt, named the shooter. Deputies say many cold cases are now solved through forensic evidence. But in the case of Alonzo Hiley -- it was the luck of the draw, because an eyewitness came forward. Deputies say they are still looking for more arrests in this case. But for now, the accused murderer, Douglas Simonds will be heading to trial June first. But not every family is so lucky. The Ouachita Parish sheriff's office is still investigating cold cases from 30 years ago.