Obituaries:  Bonita Knighton, Sabine, Vernon Parish       K-523
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Jul 3, 1975
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net


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Bonita Knighton

  A Bossier City couple is being held in the DeSoto Parish Jail
without bond for the slaying of a Zwolle man, and a Bossier City
girl, according to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Dept.

  The couple, Joseph Clayton Sepulvado, 29, and his wife, Oneda
Pearl Sepulvado, 19, were transferred to the DeSoto Parish Jail,
after they were arrested in Bossier City by Bossier Sheriff's
deputies. The were booked for the first degree murders of James
Michael Sepulvado, 21, of Zwolle, and Bonita Knighton, 17, of the
Kickapoo Motel in Bossier.

  The alleged double murder happened in the woods of DeSoto Parish
late in the afternoon of Friday, June 27, about three miles west
of Highway 175, and about one mile south of the Red Bluff Road.

  The four had allegedly gone target shooting, when an old
argument between the men, who were second cousins, was renewed.
Joseph Sepulvado allegedly shot the two with a .44 magnum rifle.

  Later that afternoon, the two bodies were loaded in the trunk of
the Sepulvado car. The Sepulvados were stopped at 2 a.m.,
Saturday morning in Bossier City, because of erratic driving.

  The deputies noticed the weapons in the car, and after talking
with the two, asked if the two suspects would mind if they
searched the car. Sepulvado reportedly replied, "Go ahead, you'll
find two bodies in the trunk."

  According to Bossier Sheriff W. E. Waggonner, one of the weapons
found in the car was listed as stolen.

  Upon further investigation, the deputies discovered the bodies.
Both had been shot once, Sepulvado in the chest, and Miss
Knighton in the left side. Sepulvado told officials he killed his
cousin in self defense.

  A DeSoto Parish Grand Jury is expected to review the case when
it convenes September 22, according to the DeSoto District
Attorneys office.

  Miss Knighton was a native of Leesville, and had resided in the
Shreveport area for four years.

  James Michael Sepulvado is survived by his parents, Mrs.
Angeline Sepulvado of Zwolle, and Tony Sepulvado of Noble; three
sisters, Mrs. Ann Wilkerson of Benton, Elverna Sepulvado, and
Mrs. Nancy Dennis, both of Shreveport; five brothers, Hilton H.
Sepulvado, Earl Sepulvado, and Christopher Sepulvado, all of
Houston, Tex., Ernest Sepulvado of Louisville, Ky., and Jessie
Sepulvado of West Monroe.

  Funeral services were held at Zwolle Monday, June 30, at 10
a.m., in the St. Joseph Catholic Church, with the Very Rev.
Monsignor Robert C. Friend officiating. Burial was in the St.
Joseph Cemetery, under the direction of the Warren Meadows
Funeral Home of Many.