Courts

Baton Rouge man sentenced to 20 years for killing ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend during fight

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
2 hrs ago

Two months after being found guilty of manslaughter for killing his ex-girlfriend’s new lover during a scuffle inside the woman’s Lobdell Boulevard apartment, a man stood inside a Baton Rouge …

Judge rejects plea deal for alleged gunman in shooting that wounded 11 at Southern frat party

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
May 6, 2024

A Baton Rouge judge rejected Monday a proposed plea deal for a man accused of firing into a crowd during a homecoming party near Southern University's campus, wounding 11 people.

A death-row prisoner won a new trial. Now, the Louisiana Supreme Court may change its mind.

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Updated 22 hrs ago

The Louisiana Supreme Court is having second thoughts about its recent decision granting a new trial to a death-row prisoner based on a claim that prosecutors railroaded him.

With no place for 17-year-old inmates, Baton Rouge renews decade-old push for a new jail

BY LARA NICHOLSON | Staff writer
May 3, 2024

Decayed white ceilings speckled with black moldy circles. Jagged, rusty metal protruding from old air vents. A glue trap of live, wriggling mice stationed mere feet away from a tray of cornbre…

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State Police warrant: Former New Orleans archbishops knew about clergy sex abuse

By STEPHANIE RIEGEL | Staff writer
Updated Apr 30, 2024

For the first time, Louisiana law enforcement officials are digging deeply into allegations that former New Orleans archbishops, the highest-ranking officials in the state's Catholic hierarchy…

US appeals court upholds permits for Commonwealth LNG plant on Louisiana coast

BY MARK SCHLEIFSTEIN | Staff writer
Apr 30, 2024

The facility is among 11 liquefied natural gas projects either already built, approved or being proposed for southwest Louisiana.

Baton Rouge leader will ask Louisiana Supreme Court for rehearing on St. George incorporation

BY LARA NICHOLSON | Staff writer
Apr 30, 2024

As St. George leaders move forward with plans to create their own city, the leader of Baton Rouge's Metro Council is requesting a new hearing on the matter from the Louisiana Supreme Court, hi…

Louisiana Supreme Court tosses Baton Rouge teacher's conviction, says judge mishandled verdict

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 30, 2024

On Tuesday, the Louisiana Supreme Court added a new — and likely final — twist to the winding case of a former Baton Rouge gym teacher who went viral after she was caught on video threatening …

Boil & Roux now faces eviction in legal battle with property owners

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 29, 2024

Boil & Roux, a popular Baton Rouge seafood lounge that recently settled a clash with city officials over its liquor license, is now in a legal battle with the owners of its property threat…

With Louisiana Supreme Court ruling paving the way for city of St. George, how will it operate?

BY LARA NICHOLSON and CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writers
Apr 27, 2024

Organizers behind the controversial city of St. George will soon actualize its incorporation after the Louisiana Supreme Court dropped its historic ruling in their favor Friday, overturning th…

A new City of St. George: How a major Louisiana Supreme Court ruling could change Baton Rouge

BY LARA NICHOLSON | Staff writer
Apr 26, 2024

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled Friday to allow the City of St. George to move forward with plans to incorporate, a monumental decision for Baton Rouge and possibly the end to a decade-long …

Louisiana Supreme Court rules in favor of new City of St. George, reversing lower courts

BY LARA NICHOLSON | Staff writer
Apr 26, 2024

Update: A new City of St. George: How a major Louisiana Supreme Court ruling could change Baton Rouge

She was on crack when she caused a crash that killed 1, injured 3. Now she's admitted guilt.

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 26, 2024

A Baton Rouge woman who caused a deadly crash while she was high on crack cocaine pleaded guilty Wednesday to negligent homicide and first-degree vehicular negligence causing injuries, accordi…

Former student sues school board after ex-Istrouma High teacher arrested for rape

By GABBY JIMENEZ | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2024

A former Istrouma High School student filed a lawsuit last week against the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board for failing to protect her from a teacher accused of luring her into a closet a…

Baton Rouge man who killed friend while playing with gun pleads guilty to negligent homicide

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2024

A Baton Rouge man who accidentally shot his friend as the two played with a gun in 2021 pleaded guilty to negligent homicide Tuesday, according to officials from the East Baton Rouge District …

FBI arrests Plaquemines Parish man in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol riot

BY GORDON RUSSELL | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2024

The FBI arrested a Buras man on Thursday in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, charging him with six misdemeanor counts.

Federal judge dismisses Black chef's racial discrimination lawsuit against LSU sorority

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2024

A Black woman's employment discrimination lawsuit against an LSU sorority has been tossed out of federal court after a judge ruled the sorority was not the plaintiff's employer when she worked…

Charges will stand against former State Police trooper in death of Ronald Greene

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Updated Apr 24, 2024

Louisiana Supreme Court denies bid by former Master Trooper Kory York to have indictment for negligent homicide, malfeasance quashed.

Denham Springs woman linked to ex-deputy's sex crimes case could get a new rape trial

By GABBY JIMENEZ | Staff writer
Apr 23, 2024

Melanie Curtin, the Denham Springs woman who was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in a rape case connected to former Livingston Parish sheriff's deputy Dennis Perk…

New Orleans serial killer who targeted gay men granted parole after 46 years inside Angola

By GABRIELLA KILLETT | Staff writer
Updated Apr 23, 2024

Warren Harris Jr. sat behind a stack of papers last week at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, a handkerchief at the ready for the tears that had begun to fall behind his glasses.

Parents' wrongful death lawsuit in Madison Brooks saga put on hold while criminal cases play out

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 22, 2024

For the past 15 months, authorities have pursued criminal charges against four men accused of sexually assaulting a severely intoxicated Madison Brooks not long before the 19-year-old LSU soph…

He attacked a postal worker, took a key and stole Baton Rouge mail. It wasn't his 1st time.

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 19, 2024

The afternoon of Sept. 17, 2021, Tarek Keionte Sonnier and Monte Drayton ambushed a letter carrier as he walked his delivery route in the heart of Houston, Texas. The men pepper-sprayed the 78…

Several Baton Rouge 'Bleedas' members charged with attempted murder, other violent crimes

By GABBY JIMENEZ | Staff writer
Apr 18, 2024

Several alleged members of the "Bleedas" gang accused of robbing ATM technicians have been charged with multiple violent crimes, including a rare enhancement for participating in gangs, author…

After finding ex-Baton Rouge officer guilty, judge reverses verdict, says she 'was in error'

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 18, 2024

Twenty-three days after she found former Baton Rouge police Officer Donald Steele Jr. guilty of a "misdemeanor grade" of malfeasance in office, District Judge Eboni Johnson Rose admitted Thurs…

For killing the mother of his 10-month-old son in front of him, Louisiana man pleads guilty

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer
Apr 18, 2024

A Sorrento man faces 40 years in state prison after admitting this week to chasing down and fatally shooting the mother of his child in the face nearly eight years ago while she was in her car…

Teen involved in Baton Rouge rapper's slaying outside store takes plea deal, gets 10 years

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 18, 2024

A Baton Rouge teenager indicted in the slaying of a local rapper three years ago was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to reduced charges.

Life sentence for Baton Rouge man convicted of killing girlfriend during spat at apartment

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 16, 2024

A man who shot and killed his girlfriend during an argument at their Burbank Drive apartment has been sentenced to life in prison.

Woman turns down plea offer in Baton Rouge toddler's fentanyl overdose: 'I can't take it'

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Apr 15, 2024

Four weeks ago, attorneys were working toward a plea deal in the case of a Baton Rouge mother indicted for second-degree murder after her 2-year-old son died of a fentanyl overdose.