re: Files to be unsealed in Seth Fontenot case

This thread is interesting, seems to be a lot of strong feelings regarding the case.

From what I've read on the internet this morning, it seems manslaughter was really the only thing they could prove and get a conviction on. Only Fontenot knows whether he pointed the gun at the burglars and pulled the trigger with intent to harm them. I'm glad no one ever emptied a clip in my direction while my friends and I were doing stupid things when we were young.

Horrible tragedy, lots of lives ruined. Sucks all the way around.

I don't think a Manslaughter conviction necessarily equates to the jury believing Seth's story. Maybe the jury thought all parties were full of shite, but Manslaughter was a more appropriate charge than First Degree Murder.

Officer Migues never said their stories "matched too perfectly"

In fact guilbeau specifically asked Migues that question and Migues said no but guilbeau still made the assertion in closing

And yes, I know the boys spent time together before meeting with Migues

But it was the same story they gave detective theriot immediately after they got to the hospital

And I'm aware the jury believed fontenot'd story that he was just trying to hit the tailgate

I didn't because the first bullet went directly into the drivers side door even though he told theriot the next morning that he shot all three shots at the tailgate

But I also think that manslaughter was the right verdict if the jury had a reasonable doubt about fontenot's intent to murder or cause great bodily harm, which clearly they did.

I had my own doubts as well.

What's your point?

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Officer Migues never said their stories "matched too perfectly"

In fact guilbeau specifically asked Migues that question and Migues said no but guilbeau still made the assertion in closing

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You are wrong. It was on the taped interview. Wonder why the prosecutor didn't allow that into evidence.....hmmmmmm
Btw, it was in response to a parent asking Migues if the stories matched up well. His exact reply was, yes, a little too well"
Kinda wierd the prosecution stopped not only that interview, but also the video of Seth's as well. They would only allow transcripts.

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he told theriot the next morning that he shot all three shots at the tailgate

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Not accurate. Actually, Theriot tried to imply Seth told him he fired from about 6' and was broadside (perpendicular). But Theriot was too dumb to realize shot 1 entered at an angle which caused a ballistics expert to calculate the distance of shot 1 was over 25'(approx).
Understand, theroit was too dumb to go back an d do a recreation of the scene. He had Prather flying blind. It was a joke of an "investigation".

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What's your point?

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My point is you may question my legal semantics all you want, but do yourself a favor and don't question my knowledge of the case.

I'm torn. I feel horrible for the family and the great kid that we all lost. I would want the death penalty for someone ending my child's life.
Now Seth's family will go thru a loss of their own. Seth is a good kid who was just stupidly as ignorant as a person can get for 30 seconds of his life and he will now pay.

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Have you considered the possibility that in the four hours between the shooting and leaving for work that Seth, his girlfriend and sister probably spent at least a few minutes coordinating their story? Who wouldn't?

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There was no need for that. No one knew anyone was shot. Cops didn't come. Seth went to bed and work after he and his father drove around looking for the vehicle.

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Actually, Theriot tried to imply Seth told him he fired from about 6' and was broadside (perpendicular). But Theriot was too dumb to realize shot 1 entered at an angle which caused a ballistics expert to calculate the distance of shot 1 was over 25'(approx).

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look guy, i've seen the transcript of that interview

seth told theriot that the first shot was about 6-8 feet away from the truck

i dont care what seth's defense-paid expert said, im telling you what the shooter himself said the very next morning



again, I dont have a side in this, but i struggle to believe the guy whose story has changed several times, starting right after the shooting when he told the officer on the phone that he didnt see anybody and failed to include ANYTHING about him shooting at people


and part of me feels sorry for fontenot as well, but he's not the one that's dead

I know facts. Not all of them were in the trial for your ears to here.

Sorry. Oh, and NO agenda.

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You are wrong. It was on the taped interview. Wonder why the prosecutor didn't allow that into evidence.....hmmmmmm
Btw, it was in response to a parent asking Migues if the stories matched up well. His exact reply was, yes, a little too well"
Kinda wierd the prosecution stopped not only that interview, but also the video of Seth's as well. They would only allow transcripts.

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Maybe one of the actual lawyers on the board can chime in about Disclosure and Rules of Evidence, but I believe that the Defense is entitled to everything the Prosecution has pre-trial under the Disclosure rules. The Prosecution can choose to present, or in this case, not present, evidence at trial as they see fit. However, I think anything uncovered in the course of their investigation, they are required to share with the Defense pre-trial. What the Defense does with it is up to them.

I know it doesn't always happen, but DA's can be less than forthcoming. I can recall several convictions in Orleans Parish being overturned over the years because Harry Connick's DA Office didn't provide exculpatory evidence to the Defense that the DA uncovered in the course of their investigation.

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seth told theriot that the first shot was about 6-8 feet away from the truck

i dont care what seth's def-paid expert said, im telling you what the shooter himself said the very next morning

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The riot said " about here". He was as far away in the room as he could be. Seth's version was he was answering to the angle not the distance.

Seth was 5' in his grass from the road. The truck was on its side of the road. Do you wanna guess how wide that road is? Cut it in half and add 5'. Then add the FACT that the bullet entered at about a 45 degree or less angle from rear to front and that means the truck was undeniably further down the road. It was moronic Theriot tried to stick to that theory of 6'. It was impossible unless they basically drove in Seth's yard. Can you comprehend? Think about the kindergarten math it takes to figure a bullet entered the drivers door and ended up 3' forward to hit him in the foot!! Does that not prove theriots assumptions were totally without basis? He's a completely incompetent investigator. Go from the center of a pickup door and draw the angle to the driver's feet on the pedals.
Yes, it was a defense paid ballistics expert. It was needed because there was NO sscene recreation from the Wilshire investigation put on by Theriot and Co.

Always remind yourself, Seth did NOT know anyone was shot at the time of the interview. He was an 18 yr old kid thinking he was being questioned for firing his gun. Facts incorrect? Surely possible. Kid stretching the truth? Sure it happens

That's why a competent investigator should check all those facts and investigate the scene with the vehicle and ballistics. Also, there are 4 cars in the driveway and those idiots checked only the truck. You can't make this shite up!

Stupidly, IF the jury believed Theriot it proved from 6' away Seth wasn't trying to kill. why would it go into the door in the lower half and not at the drivers head: