District Attorney’s Office Announces Guilty Verdict in Child Molestation Retrial

New Orleans, LA – Thursday, August 8, 2024, the Office of the District Attorney proudly announced that a jury unanimously found Gabriel Hunter guilty of Molestation of a Juvenile under 13. This significant outcome marks a critical victory in the pursuit of justice and the protection of our most vulnerable citizens.

District Attorney Jason Williams addressed the media, expressing deep gratitude for the hard work and dedication that led to this verdict. “Today, we stand before you to announce the jury’s unanimous guilty verdict against Gabriel Hunter. This verdict is not only a victory for justice but also a testament to the resilience of a young survivor and the determination of our prosecutors to protect our most vulnerable.”

The case is one of many retrials necessitated by the Ramos decision, which mandated new trials for previous non-unanimous verdicts. The DA emphasized the challenges these retrials present, both emotionally and logistically, but reiterated the importance of ensuring fair and constitutional justice. “Retrials like this one are incredibly difficult, but they are necessary to ensure convictions are secured the right way, so they are upheld and do not face reversal again.”

A particularly notable aspect of this case was the jury’s decisiveness. After only eight minutes of deliberation, they returned with a guilty verdict, highlighting the strength of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence and the gravity of Hunter’s crimes.

The District Attorney recognized the outstanding work of the prosecution team, stating, “This outcome would not have been possible without the precision and dedication of the prosecution team. I want to take a moment to recognize and applaud the efforts of those who brought this predator to justice.” The team was led by Assistant District Attorney Keenan Dunlap, Assistant District Attorney Amanda Liotto, Chief of Victim Witness Alison Morgado, Trial Assistant Anne Marie Coy, and Chief of Trials Constance Tullier. Special acknowledgment was given to ADA Tullier for her leadership and support in this highly sensitive case.

In 2019, Hunter was originally sentenced to 50 years after being found guilty of molesting a child on multiple occasions across Louisiana and Texas. Despite the reversal of that conviction on procedural grounds, the current administration redoubled its efforts, preparing an ironclad case that fully exposed the depth of Hunter’s depravity.

The trial, held in Section H of Criminal District Court before Judge Camille Buras, demonstrated the impact of continuity in the court’s efforts. The District Attorney’s Office reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing offenders who harm others, particularly when the victims are children.

“Today’s verdict is a reaffirmation of our commitment to justice. We will continue to stand against those who harm our children, ensuring that they face the full weight of the law,” concluded DA Williams.