JENNINGS — Another person pleaded not guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder stemming from the death of a Lake Arthur man in February.

Brett Daniel Hebert, 26, of Lake Arthur, pleaded innocent to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice charges in connection with the Feb. 21 murder of Charles Raymond Talen Sr., 73.

Six other people pleaded not guilty to various charges Monday before Judge Steve Gunnell in 31st Judicial District Court. An eighth person, Roderick Cawthorne Sr., 41, of Youngsville, will be arraigned June 1 on charges of obstruction of justice and possession of stolen things.

A grand jury indicted them all last month on charges that include first- and second-degree murder, accessory after the fact to murder, aggravated burglary and obstruction of justice.

Talen was found dead lying on the floor inside his Pom Roy Road home Feb. 21 by deputies who had gone to the residence after his vehicle was found abandoned and burning in a remote area north of La. 14 near Gueydan in Vermilion Parish.

An autopsy showed Talen had suffered trauma to the back of the head.

Authorities believe at least two of those indicted were dropped off at Talen’s home with the intent to rob him because they thought he had a lot of money in the residence, then drove his vehicle to Vermilion Parish where it was set on fire.

Several gold coins valued at $50,000 and a safe taken from the residence were recovered at separate locations in Lafayette and Jeff Davis parishes.

The defendants’ trials are set for Nov. 16.

If convicted, Hebert faces automatic life in prison for second-degree murder and up to 40 years in prison for obstruction of justice.

(MGNonline)