In addition to charges of murder and attempted-murder, David Caleb Fontenot also faces arson and criminal property damage charges.

Fontenot, 23, was arraigned Monday on charges of aggravated arson and simple criminal property damage less than $500.

In June, Fontenot had a broom that he “managed to catch on fire,” said Kim Myers, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman. Fontenot then held the broom under a sprinkler and set off the Calcasieu Correctional Center’s sprinkler system, she said.

Fontenot admitted holding the burning broom under the sprinkler, but would not give a statement, Myers said.

Although the incident happened in June, the charges were not added to the jail roster until mid-October.

Fontenot was scheduled to go to trial Monday on charges of second-degree murder, attempted murder and solicitation for murder, but defense attorney Robert Shelton requested a continuance because he only recently enrolled as counsel.

Fontenot is accused of shooting to death 20-year-old Stephin Bergeron off La. 27 in Carlyss in 2011. Fontenot has been in the Calcasieu Correctional Center since 2011. His bond is set at more than $1 million.

He picked up an additional charge of solicitation for murder in January after authorities said he was overheard on a jail phone attempting to have a witness killed.

(mgnonline.com)

David Caleb Fontenot