Justice Delayed is Justice Denied

In his 1995 book, “Why Government Doesn’t Work”, Harry Browne argued that government is inherently inefficient and harmful because it relies on coercive techniques instead of voluntary cooperation. Further, it operates without the accountability or incentives found in the private sector. Browne believes that political solutions often worsen problems, while progress comes from limiting government and empowering individuals. Browne even talked about the crime and punishment show we usually see politicians playing out, yet WE ARE NO SAFER THAN WE WERE TEN, TWENTY, OR THIRTY YEARS AGO. Join us as we look at a segment of crimes in the City of Lafayette and the outcomes, at least for those that have been concluded.

Crime Isn’t Just One More Problem. It Is One That Can Kill You.

Browne opens chapter 20 (Fighting Crime or Playing Games?) with the line: “Crime isn’t just one more problem. It is one that can kill you.” From there, he continues:

“Today, after all the “get tough” policies and all the “wars on crime.” Our streets and homes aren’t safe, nor are our children. Insurance rates in many areas are sky-high, to compensate for the billions of dollars paid on claims for vandalism and theft.

To combat all this, the politicians offer only the same useless remedy: more government.

To you, crime is a curse. To them, crime is a blessing – another chance to show they’re more outraged than their opponents. They propose mandatory sentences, more money for police, bigger prisons, more wire-tapping, more bond issues, and more invasions of our privacy. And, of course, they need higher taxes to pay for all this toughness. Each one wants to propose the toughest “tough on crime” program:

“I say three strikes and you’re out – three felonies and we lock you up for life and throw away the key.”

“See how my opponent loves to coddle criminals. I say two strikes and you’re out.”

“What a namby-pamby, soft-on-crime, bleeding-heart liberal attitude. One strike is enough. If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.”

“No, that’s too lenient. Drug-pushers should get the death penalty.”

They’re in a bidding war – bidding for the status as “toughest on crime” – and paying with your money and your freedom.”

Those words from Browne are timeless. Although written thirty years ago, they are the same script recited over and over again. Yet, crime remains a central issue in many communities in America.

There is no accountability!

Despite massive spending and harsh laws, crime remains prevalent. Any reasonable efforts aimed at accountability are blocked. We have seen this first hand as two very practical bills to reform our criminal justice system; the Timely Delivery of Justice Act (HB343 by Representative Tony Bacala (R 8/10) from the 2024 Regular Session) and the original Segus Jolivette Act (HB11 by Representative Chad Boyer (R 6/10) during the 2025 Regular Session) were crushed by the pressures of the organized politicians. In smaller communities, police are often more focused on enforcing victimless crimes, such as traffic violations, which generate a steady stream of revenue for their municipalities. That means necessary resources are not devoted to protecting residents from the real threats like home invasions, assaults, and murders. Likewise, our court system is bogged down with prosecuting these offenses, setting more serious offenses aside. But don’t take our word for it… Let’s examine some facts.

You have probably never heard of Chase Chaisson. Over ten years ago, he was involved in a very violent incident that almost claimed the life of a Lafayette Police Officer. It occurred on September 11, 2014. On the previous day, Chaisson was allegedly involved in a shooting, and police officials were attempting to locate him when he reportedly shot LPD Officer Karl Ratcliff in the chest. Ratcliff recovered from his almost life-ending injury, but this incident remains an open wound. Just yeterday the case was finally adjudicated by plea deal after languishng in our criminal justice system for ten years.

Ten years ago

On November 14, 2014, during the administration of former District Attorney Mike Harson (two district attorneys ago), a bill of information was filed charging Chaisson with attempted first-degree murder, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, second-degree kidnapping, and injury to a police dog. Despite the quick action to file charges, the case didn’t advance. The bill of information was later dismissed in 2016 following a Grand Jury indictment.

The indictment handed down by the Grand Jury in January of 2016 charged Chaisson with attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and second-degree kidnapping. The court has continued the matter so many times that it isn’t even worth counting. Chaisson, a convicted felon with a well-documented court history of being charged with drug offenses before the shooting of Ratcliff, still has not been held accountable by the system for the life-changing event that occurred on September 11, 2014. The case was assigned to District Court Judge Cynthia Spadoni.

2020 Homicides

If the timely delivery of justice is the end goal being pursued by our system, the Ratcliff case is a travesty. But what about other cases? What if we examined a very limited set of crimes: murders. Would they also reveal issues of timeliness with our system? That is what we tried to do for this conversation. Instead of trying to pull together all the murders committed in the various communities in Lafayette Parish, we will just focus on those committed in the most populous city, Lafayette.

We are also taking the easiest road. The Lafayette Police Department has routinely provided crime data without hesitation, major roadblocks, or challenges. It is called transparency; perhaps other municipalities in the parish should take note. Our Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court often makes the data relatively easy to retrieve.

The Lafayette Police Department reported a total of seventeen homicides, which included two officer-involved shootings. The victims of the civilian homicides were Matthew Carter, Phillip Nelson, III, John Hickenbottom, Telvis Benjamin, Rico Thomas, Kyle Romero, Jimmy Fusilier, Markeylan Edmond, Kendarious Sam, Damien George, Kao Wokomo, Jakryie Clark, Nathanial Sharpley, Deontrell Celestine, and Curley Domingue.

Four of the homicides were carried out by juvenile offenders, and the records of the outcome of juvenile proceedings are shielded from the public.

Seven individuals have been prosecuted and adjudicated for homicides:

• Elizabeth Alfred went to trial in July of 2021 and was found guilty of the lesser charge of negligent homicide in the death of Phillip Nelson, III. She was sentenced to 5 years hard labor, with all but 18 months being suspended.
• Heidi Bergeron, Tyler Pellerin, and Logan LaCroix all pled guilty in April of 2023 to the lesser charge of obstruction of justice in the death of John Hickenbottom. Each received 15 years hard labor with all the time suspended.
• Drake Duhon pled guilty in March of 2023 to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of John Hickenbottom. He received 25 years hard labor with all the time suspended.
• Keon Woods pled guilty in May of 2024 to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of Rico Thomas. He received 25 years hard labor.
• Donnique Leopaul pled guilty in February of 2024 to the lesser charge of obstruction of justice in the death of Damian George. He received 15 years hard labor.

Two suspects, Johnny Aquandre and Mitchell Dautreiul, were brought before the Grand Jury, resulting in a “no true bill” finding. In July of 2020, the Grand Jury returned a no true bill for Dautreiul in connection with the death of Kyle Romero. In November of 2020, the Grand Jury reached the same finding for Aquandre in connection with the death of Jimmy Fusilier.

The District Attorney’s Office dismissed the prosecution of three other individuals’ charges concerning one or more of the 2020 homicides. Jamyron Magee was facing murder charges for the deaths of Nathaniel Sharpley and Jakyrie Clark, but the District Attorney dismissed those charges in September of 2022. Likewise, Caleb Allen was facing charges of accessory after the fact to murder involving the deaths of Sharpley and Clark as well. The District Attorney likewise dismissed his charges in August of 2022. Lastly, Joshua Chevalier’s charge of principal to murder in the death of Damien George was dismissed in July of 2021 by the District Attorney.

Johnathan Bargeman, Kendell Ledet, Nathan Carter, and Jacolby Fox are all still awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in murders committed in 2020. Aside from Bargeman, the other offenders have all been charged with committing criminal acts following their alleged murder involvement. All offenders have received multiple trial continuances, with one offender receiving eight trial continuances thus far.

2021 Homicides

Twenty-five homicides were reported by the Lafayette Police Department in 2021, including one officer-involved shooting. The victims of the civilian homicides were Derrick Williams, Jr.; Leo Jack; James Bertrand; Samer Tobeh; Nakia Soloman; Jennifer Hurst; Kevin Amador; Robert Hebert; Zaria Garry; Brandon Arnold;  Xavier Batiste; Ja’nya Hebert; Kennedy Mouton; Clifton Williams; Joseph Laprairie; Brianna Berard; Rashawn Broussard; Shayne Burke; Denise Williams; Ricardo Dixon; Keyon Alex; Jacob Perry; Jonterez Broussard; and Keionna Menard.

Thirteen individuals have been prosecuted and adjudicated concerning the homicides, with three people going to trial. Two of the three who brought their matter to trial received life imprisonment:

• Cody Guccione went on trial in February of 2023 in connection with the death of Leo Jack. He received a sentence of life imprisonment.
• Damien Bernard likewise went on trial in October 2023 in connection with the death of Jonterez Broussard. He also received a sentence of life imprisonment.
• Troinathan Broussard went on trial in February of 2023 in connection with the death of Kennedy Mouton. He was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The remaining ten individuals whose cases have been concluded all entered into plea agreements:

• Emmanuel Hebert pled guilty in November 2023 to the lesser charge of negligent homicide in connection with the death of Brianna Berard. He received 5 years hard labor to run concurrently with other charges he was sentenced on from a separate event.
• Dejuan Clay pled guilty in February 2024 to the lesser charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Brandon Arnold. He received 8 years hard labor.
• Nathan Arceneaux pled guilty in August 2024 to the lesser charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Zaria Garry. He received 22 years hard labor.
• Charles Elies had his charges dismissed in September 2024 as a result of entering into a plea agreement on another murder charge dating back to 2017. He received 7 years hard labor.
• Brendell Clay pled guilty in October 2024 to the lesser charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Clifton Williams. He received 25 years hard labor.
• Kirk Bourque pled guilty in March 2025 to the lesser charge of negligent homicide in connection with the death of Samer Tobeh. He received 5 years hard labor, all but one year suspended and to be served on home monitoring.
• Gavin Randle pled guilty in April 2025 to the lesser charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Nakia Soloman. He received 40 years hard labor.
• Igor Castelanlanos-Tejada pled guilty in May 2025 to the lesser charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Kevin Amador. He received 20 years hard labor.
• Nakeea Senegal pled guilty in May 2025 to the lesser charge of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder in connection with the death of Robert Hebert. He received 30 years hard labor, all but 12 years suspended.
• Roytrevian Simpson pled guilty in May 2025 to the lesser charge of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder in connection with the death of Ja’nya Hebert. He received 10 years hard labor.

The prosecution against three other individuals, Robert Chandler, Brandon Arnold, and Zaveon Willis, was dismissed because they are deceased. The District Attorney’s Office dismissed the prosecution of a fourth individual, Wilbert Willis, in connection with the death of Clifton Williams.

Lucas Williams, Natrevian Simpson, Jason Pradia, Bryson George, Abram Landry, Brian Babineaux, Sam Brown, Edward Edmond, Marco Andrus, and Denerious Celestine are all still awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in murders committed in 2021. At least three of the subjects have been re-arrested for subsequent criminal offenses.

2022 Homicides

The Lafayette Police Department reported a total of twenty-two homicides in 2022, which included two officer-involved shootings. The victims of the civilian homicides were Joseph Zenon, Sr., Warren Prejean, Alex Alexander, Nikkianna Caldwell, Lavar Manuel, Mary Faulk, Coby White, Leslie Tolliver, Dante Savoy, Kiswanna Latham, Kaceston Freeman, Billy Joseph, Emanuel Barnes, Mickeal Arvie, Ross Chassion, Kewanna Felix, Charles Thomas, Kerrington Sam, Pernell Cormier, and a juvenile, M.L.

One of the homicides was carried out by a juvenile offender, and the records of the outcome of juvenile proceedings are shielded from the public. Nine individuals have been prosecuted and adjudicated concerning the homicides, with only one going to trial.

• Christopher Ledet, Jr., went on trial in December 2023 in connection with the death of Kaceton Freeman. He was found guilty of second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

The remaining eight individuals whose cases have been concluded all entered into plea agreements:

• Martasha Jones and Charles Andrus both pleaded guilty in May 2023 to the lesser charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Coby White. Jabori Caldwell also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery in September of 2024, also in connection with the death of White. All three were sentenced to 15 years hard labor.
• Robert Thomas pled guilty in August 2023 to the lesser charge of negligent homicide in connection with the death of Charles Thomas. He received 4 years hard labor.
• Steve Soloman pled guilty in March 2024 to the lesser charge of accessory after the fact in connection with the death of Billy Joseph. He received 1 year and 7 months in the parish jail. Artimus Johnson also pleaded guilty in April of 2025 to accessory after the fact in connection with the death of Joseph. He received 3 years hard labor, all suspended.
• Destiny McAfee pled guilty in May 2024 to the lesser charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Lavar Manuel. She received 10 years hard labor, with 8 years being suspended.
• David Isadore pled guilty in September of 2024 to the lesser charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Emanuel Barnes. He received 25 years hard labor.

The Grand Jury returned no true bills against Cody Pierson and Dominick Curole in 2022 for their alleged roles in separate homicides. The prosecution against one individual, Andres Felix, was never initiated due to it being a murder-suicide. Lastly, the prosecution of Jacavon Sam was dismissed due to a lack of DNA evidence.

Dawn Harris, Omari Davis, Dekendrick Arceneaux, Kasyn Arceneaux, Jason Provost, Devin Celestine, Rickey Mathews, John Christian, Dillon Louviere, and Deondre Breaux are all still awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in murders committed in 2022. At least two of the subjects have been re-arrested for subsequent criminal offenses.

2023 Homicides

In 2023, twenty-eight homicides were reported by the Lafayette Police Department, which included one officer-involved shooting. The victims of the civilian homicides were Zaveon Willis, Jatravian Chevalier, Abilio Lopez, Kentrevon Gallien, Raylon Mason, Ronald Callis, Rasheed Carmouche, Randall Duplechin, Denzel Smith, Cody Leday, Wilson Marshal, Kvon O’niel, Joshua Cobb, Cleveland Stiner, Deniro Broussard, Devon McZeal, Nathan Bob, Perry Rochester, Kenneth Johnson, Nancy Herrick, Colby Mitchell, Fredrika Stevens, Michelle Touchet, Ricky Bernard, Jr., and three juvenile victims.

Three of the homicides were carried out by a juvenile offender, and the records of the outcome of juvenile proceedings are shielded from the public. Only one individual has been prosecuted and adjudicated concerning the homicides.

• Carroll Steno, III accepted a plea agreement in October of 2024 to the lesser charge of obstruction of justice in connection with the death of Kenneth Johnson. He was sentenced to 5 years hard labor.

One suspect committed suicide, one suspect was found incompetent to stand trial, and two others had their charges dismissed by the District Attorney.

Thomas Woods, Justin Webber, Zaylin Sion, Zentrell Gardner, Shawntravin Sampy, John Nicholas, Alayjah Kennedy, Ja’Quan Gardner, Jackyrick Charles, Dontrell Clark, Terry Joseph, James Guillory, Deaontrae Sampson, and Calnisha Calloway are all still awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in murders committed in 2023. Several others have been arrested but have not yet been formally charged. Multiple subjects have been re-arrested for subsequent criminal offenses.

2024 Homicides

Lastly, the Lafayette Police Department reported eighteen homicides in 2024, which included two officer-involved shootings. The victims of the civilian homicides were Brian Amune, Taj Broussard, Ian Boutin, Elzy Cyprian, Elizabeth Reames, Eric Green, Brandon Touchet, Stanford Mouton, Corey Lapoint, Kendric Green, Toren Martin, Johnny Trailer, Quincy Duhon, Rickey Christian, Corey Mouton, and Jamir Carmouche.

The Grand Jury returned a no true bill against two suspects, finding one suspect to be justified in the homicide. None of the other matters have been adjudicated.

Alvin Fitch, Jr., Cleavon Barton, Jasyri Hilliard, Chad Credeur, Leonce Boutte, Jerrell Jones, Kayden Wilson, Abram Landry, Shylon Mouton, Jeffery Broussard, Shawn Chaisson, Trevon Charles, Dillon Doucet, Dnedrick Wilson, and Devonte Gardner are awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in murders committed in 2024.

What does it all mean?

If you subscribe to the slogan “Justice delayed is justice denied”, the victims of these crimes and their families are being denied justice. They are being denied justice by a system with very little accountability to the residents they supposedly serve. It is a system that doesn’t prioritize the prosecution of violent crimes over traffic and other non-violent offenses.

In many cases, the judicial system is perfectly content with granting continuance after continuance without any real justification. All you have to do is ask for it. This is one area where we could really learn from the federal court system.

This isn’t to say that continuances aren’t granted on the federal level or that things don’t occasionally happen that derail a trial date. However, the federal system generally sets a trial date early during the prosecution. It is a target date, and both sides are held accountable for striving to be ready for trial if that date ever comes. In the 15th Judicial District of Louisiana, a trial date is akin to an opportunity to meet up, discuss things, log some hours worked, and ask for more time to prepare.

You can increase the number of prosecutors (or just consider requiring them to be full-time employees who focus on their case load), increase the number of public defenders, increase the number of judges, and increase the number of court dates. Still, in the end, the result will be the same. The cost to the taxpayer will increase, there will be no additional accountability, and being tough on crime will be another talking point for the next politician wanting your vote. God Bless America!

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