TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A change of plea hearing has been scheduled for Nichola Leroy, a Terre Haute woman accused of stabbing and killing her cousin in 2023, according to the Vigo County Clerk’s Office.
Leroy, 39, was charged with murdering her cousin, Wasu Laplante, after police found him lying in a pool of blood in a hallway of a Terre Haute residence after being dispatched for a stabbing, according to court documents. Leroy also faces a charge of aggravated battery.
Leroy was allegedly the one who called 911 and remained on the phone with dispatchers as officers arrived.
“Officer McBride asked her who stabbed him. She said she had stabbed him,” a probable cause affidavit reads. “Nichola sat down and remained on the phone. Nichola said, ‘he came at me.’ Officer McBride asked where she stabbed him. She stated ‘in the chest.’”
Court documents said officers then located a stab wound on Laplante’s upper left side of his chest. Officers attempted to give Laplante medical aid, but no pulse could be found.
Officers also allegedly located a knife in the kitchen of the residence they believe was used in the stabbing.
“The knife was silver and appeared to have blood on it. The knife and a plastic cup were sitting in a bowl of water. The water filled part of the bowl. Majority of the knife and handle was exposed,” the PCA reads.
Leroy’s change of plea hearing has been scheduled for September 29 at 10 a.m., according to the clerk’s office.
