Grand Jury indicts Stevens in Vidalia murder posted Thursday, November 19th, 2009 @ 8:34 am  E-mail Story |  Print Story  The Concordia Parish Grand Jury indicted Michael Kelly Stevens on Monday for first degree murder in the death of a Vidalia man in October. The Grand Jury indictment was handed down around 3:30 p.m. Monday. The panel reported: "Michael Kelly Stevens committed the crime of first degree murder in that he did willfully, unlawfully, and with specific intent did murder one Michael Welch in violation of LSR-RS 14:30, contrary to the laws of the State of Louisiana and against the peace and dignity of the same." After hearing witnesses and viewing evidence presented by the District Attorney, the true bill was returned against Stevens. Stevens, 41, a registered sex offender, had been originally charged with second degree murder in the case and is being held under a $2 million bond. His arraignment is slated for December 16. When Welch's body was found in his home in Vidalia, his throat had been lacerated and court documents indicated a bloody crime scene. Stevens fled Vidalia after the murder. Stevens was later arrested in Channelview, Tex., and transported back to Concordia Parish. Welch was 52. His body was found in his Myrtle Street home October 4th. The Vidalia Police Department investigated the murder.