Deville is sentenced to 45 years in jail

The suspect who had been convicted in the attempted first-degree murder of former Turkey Creek Police Chief Robert Glenn Leggett, Zackery Shane Deville, was sentenced to 45 years at hard labor with the Department of Corrections to be served without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence to run consecutive with any other sentence, according to records from the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court’s Office. Deville received credit for time served.
The sentence was handed down on Monday, March 15, by the honorable Gary J. Ortego of the 13th Judicial District Court.
Before imposition of sentence, Judge Ortego denied Deville’s attorney’s request for a motion for a post verdict judgment of acquittal and motion for new trial with an attached motion in limine.
During the sentencing hearing, Assistant Nicholas Monier, on behalf of the state, offered a letter from Melissa Leggett into the record.
A jury of Deville’s peers convicted him on the charge in January of 2020. Testifying at the trial was Turkey Creek Councilman Joey Ducote, who was at the village council meeting with Chief Leggett on the day of the incident. Ducote testified they heard of a disturbance at a residence and went with the chief on the call. He said there was a vehicle in the road and some people next to it. Ducote waited while the chief went to the residence and testified it looked like the chief was trying to get Deville into his car. The chief and Deville then went behind the residence. Ducote said they had been there for several minutes, and he felt the need to check on the chief. When he rounded the corner to the back of the residence, he saw Deville resisting the chief and saw Leggett as he was trying to apprehend him. Deville pulled away, and then Ducote saw a knife in Deville’s hand. Ducote testified he saw Deville pull the knife from his pants pocket. He further testified Deville tried to stab Leggett once but failed, and when he tried the second time, he succeeded.
In connection with the altercation, Deville was also charged with criminal trespassing - remaining in or upon. The misdemeanor trial on that charge is set for Thursday, July 8.