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THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HAS AFFIRMED THE CONVICTION OF A LAFAYETTE RAPPER FOR INCITING A RIOT THAT LED TO THE SHOOTING DEATH OF AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER. IN FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR, A JURY FOUND ERIC VICIOUS JOHNSON GUILTY FOR PROVOKING A FIGHT AT THE MARGINY CIRCLE APARTMENT COMPLEX IN DUSON, IN WHICH ONE OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE APARTMENT BUILDING, RAY RYAN, WAS SHOT AND KILLED. JOHNSON HAD GONE TO THE BUILDING WITH A GROUP OF MEN TO FIGHT RYAN’S NEIGHBOR, BECAUSE OF A FIGHT THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. THE APPELATE COURT DISAGREED WITH JOHNSON’S LAWYERS, WHO ARGUED THERE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO CONVICT HIM.
A DERIDDER WOMAN WAS HOSPITALIZED AFTER A TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT INVOLVING AN 18-WHEELER YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. IT HAPPENED AT THE INTERSECTION OF U-S 171 AND L-A 26. SERGEANT JAMES ANDERSON OF STATE POLICE SAYS 18-YEAR-OLD KACEY PERKINS FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY WHEN EXITING A PARKING LOT, AND TRAVELED INTO THE PATH OF AN 18-WHEELER LOG TRUCK. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED BY ACADIANA AIR MED TO THE RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WITH MODERATE INJURIES.
ONE OF THE SEVEN REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE GREMLIN GANG TURNED HIMSELF IN TO ABBEVILLE POLICE YESTERDAY. CORY GUIDRY SURRENDERED TO POLICE AT THE RESTAURANT FOOD ETC. HIS ARREST COMES ONE DAY AFTER THE CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP, “TRUE HEALING UNDER GOD”, HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE INSISTING THAT THERE IS NO GREMLINS STREET GANG IN VERMILLION PARISH, AND URGING THE REMAINING WANTED MEN TO TURN THEMSELVES IN. GUIDRY’S SISTER, CHELSEA GUIDRY, TELLS KLFY TV THAT HER BROTHER IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE GREMLINS BUT IS GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION, HAVING GROWN UP WITH MANY OF THE ALLEGED MEMBERS,WHICH INCLUDE FAMILY MEMBERS.
Senators weighing deep cuts to state services were wiping away tears as parents pleaded for them to pass tax hikes to protect programs that help them care for their children. Health care services that serve thousands with developmental disabilities are threatened as lawmakers decide how to close a hefty budget shortfall. Ashley McReynolds talked Wednesday about her 9-year-old son Cooper. McReynolds said without help from the state, her family would struggle to be able to raise Cooper at home.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A JOB, LEDA IS HOSTING A CAREER FAIR TODAY AT THE CAJUNDOME CONVENTION CENTER. JULIE DARCE HAS THE DETAILS.
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CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE SCHEDULED THIS MORNING IN THE SECOND DEGREE MURDER TRIAL OF JOHNNY HATFIELD OF DERIDDER. HATFIELD HAS PLEADED INNOCENT BY REASON OF INSANITY TO THE CHARGE. HE’S ACCUSED OF STABBING TO DEATH HIS FOUR-YEAR-OLD NEPHEW, TANNER BAILEY, IN DECEMBER OF 2012. HATFIELD’S TWO SISTERS TESTIFIED FOR HIM YESTERDAY, ONE OF WHOM, AMY JONES, SAYS THE MENTAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FAILED THEIR FAMILY AND TANNER’S DEATH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.
ABOUT 180 JUNIORS AND SENIORS FROM CROWLEY, RAYNE, IOTA, CHURCH POINT AND NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOLS LEARNED THE DANGERS OF DISTRACTED DRIVING YESTERDAY AT AN EVENT HELD IN SCOTT. THE ARRIVE ALIVE TOUR INCLUDED A SPECIAL CAR THAT HELPS STUDENTS GET A HANDS ON OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW HARD IT IS TO DRIVE WHILE DISTRACTED. MAXINE TRAHAN OF THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE TOLD KLFY TV THAT STUDENTS ACTUALLY SIT IN THE CAR WITH GOGGLES ON AND TRY TO DRIVE AND TEXT AT THE SAME TIME. THE TOUR IS ALSO DESIGNED TO SHOW TEENS THE DANGERS OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
The U.S. Geological Survey says a disease that causes high death rates in some kinds of snakes has been confirmed for the first time in Louisiana. Ecologist Brad Glorioso says Louisiana is the 16th state where snake fungal disease has been found. The snake was found in the Cypress Island Preserve near Lafayette. Glorioso and another Geological Survey scientist, Gabrielle Bodin, have begun checking for the fungus on every snake they can capture at a state park in Abbeville.
