3rd Circuit considers defense motions
Although the trial of Kevin Daigle could proceed as scheduled on April 30 in state district court, there is a possibility it might be delayed for a fourth time.
Daigle is accused of first-degree murder in the shooting of Steven Vincent, a Louisiana state trooper, in 2015.
Several motions by the defense were expected to be heard by Judge Guy Bradberry Monday afternoon in state district court, but the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal put the hearing on hold after Daigle’s defense attorneys filed a document with the 3rd Circuit that morning.
The document, more than 300 pages, focuses on a decision by Judge Clayton Davis last week not to recuse Bradberry from the Daigle case.
Daigle’s defense team said it wanted Bradberry removed from the case because Bradberry and Vincent’s wife, Katherine Vincent, were friends on Facebook.
- Defense attorney seeks change of venue for upcoming trial
Prosecutors said although Vincent and Bradberry were Facebook friends, and acquainted through Vincent’s former employment as a supervisor with the juvenile probation system, they are not close friends.
Monday’s hearing had been scheduled to consider seven other defense motions filed, including one to limit law enforcement presence in the courtroom and another to continue the trial court proceedings.
Those defense motions also indicate that Daigle may suggest he was so inebriated at the time of Vincent’s shooting he should not be found guilty.
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If found guilty at trial, Daigle is facing the death penalty.
Carla Sigler and Rick Bryant are prosecutors in the case.
Bruce Unangst and Kyle Romanach are Daigle’s defense attorneys.
Because of a change of venue earlier granted in this case, a jury will be selected in Benton in Bossier Parish and brought here for the trial.
- Bradberry will preside
The trial is expected to take place in Courtroom A in the old Calcasieu Courthouse to provide more seating.
The defense has also taken issue with moving the trial to a larger courtroom, saying it objects to what it believes will create a “circus atmosphere” for the trial, saying it appears that is what the “community as a whole and law enforcement in particular desires in this case.”
The document, more than 300 pages, focuses on a decision by Judge Clayton Davis last week not to recuse (Judge Guy) Bradberry from the (Kevin) Daigle case.
