BATON ROUGE — A man accused of the violent kidnapping and death of a 73-year-old in 2025 is set to go to trial in the new year. 

Edward Hayes, who is accused of murder and kidnapping in connection with the November 2025 death of Woodrow Vaughn, will go to trial on Jan. 25, 2027. 

On Monday, Hayes rejected a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for 25 years. Hayes previously pleaded not guilty in the case earlier this year.

"We're deeply disappointed that Edward has chosen to put us through the pain of a trial, forcing us to relive this tragedy and face those gruesome photos," a family member of Vaughn told WBRZ on Monday. "However, we remain encouraged, standing firm in our faith and believing that justice will prevail and that he will be found guilty, and that he will spend the rest of his life in prison."

Hayes and Breanna Terrance are accused of attacking Vaughn in the parking lot of the AM Mart on Highland Road, then driving away with him in the backseat. Vaughn's body was found three days later at the BREC Lafitte Street Park.