Defendant’s confession suppressed in 2018 by Supreme Court due to Miranda Rights violation; Since jury trials resumed, DA’s Office has secured convictions in every single case that has gone to trial

NEW ORLEANS – Last week, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (OPDA) secured a conviction via guilty plea for Second Degree Rape and Second Degree Kidnapping. Led by Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Division Chief Mary Glass and ADA Naomi Jones, defendant Lamarque Victor pled guilty to the rape and kidnapping of a minor, a 10-year old girl, in New Orleans East in May 2018.

“This office remains laser-focused on continuing to do everything in our power to hold those who commit violent offenses accountable, especially when they are in violation of the children of our community. The young people of this city are our future and this office will do everything we can to protect them from predators looking to misuse them,” said District Attorney Jason Williams. “The trauma this young girl endured is heartbreaking and egregious. We pray this conviction provides this family with some closure and peace to move forward.”

In May 2018, Victor, who was 16 years of age at the time of the crime, sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl. The victim underwent a forensic exam at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans which led to a DNA match to Victor.

SAKI Division Chief Mary Glass said, “Sexual assault in our city, especially against children, will not be tolerated and our office will use every resource we have to ensure prosecution. We continue to pray for the victim and her family; we hope that she is able to move forward with a beautiful, long life ahead of her knowing that the person who violated her has been held accountable. In addition to ADA Naomi Jones, I would like to thank Victim/Witness Advocate Ariel White and Investigator David Benelli for their hard work on this case.”

The guilty plea took place in Section J of Criminal District Court; Judge Darryl Derbigny presided. The defendant was sentenced to 30 years in prison and is required to register as a sexual offender for the duration of his life.

Since 2020, amidst the pandemic and hurricane shutdowns, OPDA’s SAKI Division has secured 29 guilty pleas for various sexual assault cases. Additionally, SAKI Division Chief Glass and ADA Jones secured the conviction defendant William McDonough for a rape in September 2016.

DA’s Office Secures Conviction in Second Degree Rape, Kidnapping

This conviction builds on the work of prosecutors to secure convictions in all cases tried in court since the resumption of jury trials.

  • DA Williams, along with OPDA Trials Division Chief Matthew Derbes, secured the conviction of defendant Samuel Hunter for the Second Degree Murder of Anthony Bridges in the 1700 block of Monroe Street on Christmas Day 2020.
  • ADAs Liz Strauss and Adele Krieger secured the conviction of Demeccio Caston for the Second Degree Murder of Patrick Lamar in New Orleans East in August 2019.
  • ADAs Samantha Stagias and Carmen Gealogo secured the conviction of Trae Williams for the manslaughter of his uncle Eddie Salvant III in Algiers in April 2014.
  • Chief Derbes and ADA Joe Zanetti secured the conviction of Harrison Bethley for the murder of his cousin, Darnell Thomas, in the 1800 block of Treasure Street in February 2020.
  • Lastly, DA Williams, along with OPDA Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Division Chief Mary Glass and ADA Naomi Jones, secured the conviction of defendant William McDonough for the rape of a victim in the 900 block of Poeyfarre Street in September 2016.

UNPRECEDENTED REALITIES AS JURY TRIALS RESUME

After a COVID-induced hiatus, jury trials resumed in New Orleans. While OPDA prosecutors are ready to get back to court, the office is faced with some unprecedented realities. This includes an unprecedented case backlog with 150 cases scheduled for trial in March 2022 alone; this is compared to only 48 jury trials that took place in all of 2019. Additionally, this includes an unprecedented DNA backlog with the State; the DNA backlog across Louisiana includes over 2,000 cases. OPDA is waiting on key evidence in a number of cases. Additionally, OPDA is tackling some of the most difficult cases inherited including retrying 60 reversals based on Ramos v. Louisiana, cases where the office was unable to procure unanimous jury verdicts when they were originally tried years ago.

“We are prosecutors. Trying cases in front of a jury is what we do, so we are excited to back to court. However, we are faced with some of the most unprecedented challenges this office has ever seen. From an increased case load to a large DNA backlog, our office needs support and resources from City leadership,” said District Attorney Williams. “These times are absolutely the most challenging we’ve faced in recent history, but we are holding those who commit violent offenses accountable and securing justice for the victims and families. This office will be steadfast in restoring trust in our criminal legal system by securing convictions in some of the most difficult cases as well as addressing decades of indifference to the concerns of community.”

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