Staff Report
The year of our Lord 2023 was marked with story after story that centered around one common theme - gun violence. At the end of the year, one question remained. Where would these stories rank in terms of top stories of the year?
To answer that question, staff members of the Ville Platte Gazette were tasked with ranking the top 10 stories of the past year. The undertaking to whittle down the entries was a difficult one, and some stories just missed the cut.
Not all the top stories, though, are related to gun violence. There was a story about candidate for the state legislature who was disqualified as a candidate, and there was a story about a new speaker of the House being selected, just to name a few.
Before revealing the top stories of the past 12 months, some of those stories to just miss the cut were a new mayor being elected in Turkey Creek, ground being broken on a new parish jail, the Evangeline Parish School Board approving a four-day week, and Randy Deshotel being re-elected as clerk of court.
The following are the ones who cracked the list of top stories and are revealed here starting from number 1 to number 10.
No. 1
O unholy night
Louisiana State Police and other law enforcement agencies, on the evening of Monday, July 31, responded to a shooting that occurred at a residence near the intersection of Laran Street and West Beauregard Street in Ville Platte. According to authorities, the incident claimed the life of Barry Giglio, a deputy with the Ville Platte City Marshal’s Office.
According to information received from the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court’s Office, Deputy Giglio was accompanying a team of deputies with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office as they were executing a search warrant. As the deputies were entering the residence, Vonteeko Anderson began shooting at the officer, and two officers returned fire. During the shootout, Deputy Giglio was shot and killed.
Also shot were two occupants of the house. According to State Police, one male subject later died, and a female subject remains in critical condition.
At the time of the shooting, according to the documents from the clerk’s office, Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory requested assistance from Louisiana State Police Region 2 Detectives.
While conducting a search of the residence, detectives with State Police located a clear plastic bag containing marijuana in the northwest bedroom and another clear plastic bag of marijuana located in the kitchen freezer. Both bags combined to weigh over 14 grams. Also located were a Micro Draco (serial number: ROA 22 PMD-36832) 7.62x33mm in the southwest bedroom along with a Glock 22 Gen 5 .40 Caliber (serial number: BYKG424) in the northwest bedroom.
No. 2
Indicted suspects
Five individuals suspected in the death of 18-year-old VonShonskee “Shonskee” Charles were indicted by an Evangeline Parish Grand Jury.
Jared Lee Freeman, 31, of Ville Platte, was indicted on the charges of second degree murder, possession of a firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, and two counts of obstruction of justice.
Marcus Paul Arvie, 23, of Ville Platte, was indicted on the charges of principal to second degree murder and obstruction of justice.
Shawn Labrinskie Thomas, 27, of Ville Platte, was indicted on the charges of principal to second degree murder and two counts of obstruction of justice.
Jaylon Brice Lee Thomas, 21, of Ville Platte, was indicted on the charges of principal to second degree murder and two counts of obstruction of justice.
Dalonzo Davon Alfred, 23, of Ville Platte, was indicted on the charges of principal to second degree murder and obstruction of justice.
Charles’ body was found on Colt Avenue on Tuesday, August 29. He was previously reported missing on Monday, August 21.
Shawn Thomas turned himself into the Ville Platte Police Department on September 5, for an arrest warrant alleging that he was in violation of second degree murder/ accessories after the fact.
Freeman was apprehended in Los Angeles, Calif., for an arrest warrant alleging that he was also in violation of second degree murder and was extradited back to Ville Platte on Saturday, September 30. On the following day, he was booked into the parish jail for second degree murder.
Arvie was extradited from Port Arthur, Texas, and officers with the Ville Platte Police Department returned from the Jefferson County Jail with him on Thursday, October 12.
No. 3
Case is dismissed
Charges against Ville Platte City Councilwoman Christina Sam were dismissed, on Thursday, September 7, after the honorable Judge Marcus Fontenot granted a motion to quash the Bill of Information and grand jury indictment.
Councilwoman Sam was indicted on Wednesday, February 1, on one count of election offenses affecting registration and election fraud or forgery.
According to the Bill of Indictment filed with the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Office, Sam allegedly committed the offense, on or between June 25, 2022, and October 24, 2022, when she:
• Voting or attempting to vote, knowing that he is not qualified, or influencing or attempting to influence another to vote, knowing such voter to be unqualified or the vote to be fraudulent.
• Procuring or submitting voter registration applications that are known by the person to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent.
Sam was initially appointed to the council following the death of her husband, Donald. She then ran for the position last year and was the top candidate in a runoff election held in December 2022.
No. 4
Seeking justice
Shouts and cries of “Justice for Brittany,” and “No justice No Peace,” echoed around the courthouse on Thursday, July 13, as family members and friends gathered for a peaceful protest.
The protest took place 90 days after Brittany Fontenot was found dead in her home in the Chataignier area. The death was ruled a suicide, but the victim’s loved ones claim Fontenot was shot multiple times with multiple guns.
“Brittany’s life may not matter to those who are sitting on her case,” said the mother of the victim, Yvonne Malveaux, “but Brittany’s life matters to me, to her babies, and to her family and friends. It’s been three months today since my Brittany was taken by an alleged suicide. Since then, I have not been allowed to see or hold my grandbabies.”
She went on to say, “I’m a mother crying out. I’m pleading for some answers. We are praying everyday that justice will be served for Brittany, for Kayden, for Bailey, and for Gavin.”
A tearful Charles Malveaux, the father of the victim, then recounted all the time the family helped Brittany and her husband, Ray Fontenot Jr., after each time they were evicted.
“Ray,” Charles said, “all the time y’all were together, you couldn’t keep (Brittany) in a decent house. It was always something. Now you finally got her in her resting place. You finally got her a place to stay where she won’t ever be evicted from. Stand up and be a man, Ray.”
Fontenot Jr. was not present at the event. However, the family of the victim believes he is responsible for Brittany’s death.
One of the other speakers during the event said, “During segregation, legislation, and integration we’ve been patient. Now is the time for a change and justice for Brittany.”
Other speakers included Hamilton Frank, an uncle of Brittany.
No. 5
Speaking up
After receiving every vote from his Republican colleagues in the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, who represents Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, edged out Democratic nominee Hakeem Jeffries to become the next speaker of the house. The vote was 220 in favor of Congressman Johnson and 209 in favor of Congressman Jeffries.
Wednesday’s vote on the House floor capped off three weeks of political infighting among GOP congressional members over who would succeed Congressman Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted as speaker.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House,” Congressman Johnson said in a statement.”
Congressman Johnson is now second in line to become president after the vice president to fill any vacancy in the Oval Office. He is also the first speaker from Louisiana. Former Congressman Robert Livingston, from Louisiana, was chosen to be speaker-delegate in 1998 to replace Newt Gingrich but resigned from Congress amid his own sexual misconduct allegations that came to light during the impeachment proceedings of former President Bill Clinton. Livingston’s resignation ushered in Dennis Hastert as the speaker.
No. 6
Acquitted
An Evangeline Parish jury deliberated for five hours on Wednesday, March 15, and returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty on second degree murder and second degree battery in a trial against Brandon Perkins.
Perkins’ charges stem from an incident in June of 2018 where one victim, Delanzo Veal, was killed and another was shot at a trail ride held in the Beaver area off of Joe Fontenot Road.
Assistant District Attorney Justin Bo West, in his closing arguments, stated Perkins admitted to having a .40 caliber handgun and admitted to having access to it in June 2018.
West then stated Cassandra Fontenot, who was working the gate on the night of the trail ride, saw Perkins walk to his car and walk back. She then heard the shooting and saw Perkins running.
West further told the jury Chief Zackery picked up the bullet casings with a napkin which could have transferred DNA and caused Perkins to be excluded as a possible source of the sample.
A fiery, animated, and emotional Adam Johnson then delivered his closing arguments to the jury. He claimed Perkins was at the wrong place at the wrong time and again said DNA excluded Perkins as a potential source.
Johnson then went over alleged problems with the sheriff office’s investigations and the state’s case.
As he went on, Johnson said, “the state’s best evidence is a game of telephone.”
On rebuttal argument, Vidrine stated the defense was trying to twist, distract, and confuse the jury. He then said, “We presented a case that showed the best evidence we had.”
Vidrine then called the state’s case straightforward and to the point. He went on to say, “The truth in real life is not dramatic, not a performance, not a show. It is simple, straight forward, and to the point.”
The state’s case was then summarized in Vidrine’s rebuttal. As it continued, he said the state contends there are no other reasonable hypotheses other than a person standing two feet from the victim did the shooting. “Everything else is bluster,” he told the jury.
No. 7
Drunk driving arrest
Pine Prairie Chief of Police L.C. Deshotel was arrested for driving while intoxicated after being pulled over by a Turkey Creek police officer on Wednesday, January 18.
In response to his arrest, Chief Deshotel has issued the following statement:
To the residents of Pine Prairie and Evangeline Parish, on January 18, 2023, I was pulled over by the Turkey Creek Police Department, after visiting with a friend, on a charge of driving while intoxicated.
“Though, there are some extenuating circumstances, which I will not go into that at this time, I want the people of Pine Prairie to know that my main priority is and has always been to serve the residents of Pine Prairie. I would like the residents of Pine Prairie to know that I apologize and I am truly sorry for my actions, disappointing the community and impacting my police department. I also take responsibility of this incident, and I am ready to face the consequences of the law in order to move forward like any resident in this situation would have to do.”
Chief Deshotel was released from the Evangeline Parish Jail and was issued a summons to appear in the 13th Judicial District Court.
No. 8
You are outta there
Nearly five hours after the hearing began, the honorable Judge Marcus Fontenot, of the 13th Judicial District, disqualified Todd McKellar as a candidate for Louisiana House of Representatives in District 38.
In his reasons for judgment, Judge Fontenot found the issue was an interpretation of the facts as they were presented during the hearing and that a person can have only one domicile.
Judge Fontenot found, even though McKellar’s home in Lake Charles was destroyed by Hurricane Laura, he maintained homestead exemption in Calcasieu Parish until 2023. Also, the judge found McKellar maintains the Lake Charles address on many of his personal records.
According to Judge Fontenot’s ruling, McKellar was not registered to vote or claim homestead exemption in Rapides Parish until after August 10, 2022. McKellar, according to the ruling, voted in Calcasieu Parish in the November 2022 election, “which shows intent of remaining in Calcasieu Parish.”
No. 9
Gone but not forgotten
A Requiem Mass was held on Monday, September 18, 2023, at 2 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Crowley for Braxton Isham Moody III, 97, who passed away peacefully at his family home surrounded by his children on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. The Very Reverend Msgr. Keith DeRouen, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, in Opelousas, officiated at the services. Interment will immediately follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.
John Steve Delafosse Sr., former fire chief for Pine Prairie, passed away on Monday, October 9, at the age of 68.
Visitation was held at Lake Cove Baptist Church, on Thursday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and resumed at the church on Friday, October 13, at 8 a.m. until time of services, which were held at 2 p.m. with Reverends Cody King and Ervin Goodman officiating. Interment followed in Danahy-Henry Cemetery, Upper Pine Prairie, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Oakdale.
Former city prosecutor for Ville Platte Guy O. “Mitch” Mitchell passed away on Friday, November 10, at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria. He was 77 years old.
In addition to serving as city prosecutor, Mitchell previously served on the Indigent Defendant Board.
No. 10
Also acquitted
A three-day trial before the honorable Judge Chuck R. West ended on Friday, January 13, with the jury returning a verdict of not guilty.
On trial was Jasmine Thomas Gallow for the alleged second degree murder of her husband, JaCorey. The incident occurred on June 15, 2019, when the defendant allegedly stabbed her husband in the chest.
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