Editor’s note: District Attorney Steve Tew has supplied the following update on violent crime cases being prosecuted by his office.
State of Louisiana v. Jarvis Taylor
The District Attorney’s Office filed a Motion to hold Jarvis Taylor without bond pending resolution of the charges filed against him. The matter was scheduled for a hearing Monday, July 18, 2022, before Judge Scott Leehy. Defense counsel for Taylor requested a continuance of the hearing.
The Court ruled Taylor will be held without bond pending a hearing on the District Attorney’s Motion.
State of Louisiana v. Richard Lee Gilbert
Trial began Monday, July 18, 2022, in the case, State of Louisiana v. Richard Lee Gilbert. Gilbert is charged with 1 count of Second Degree Murder for the September 2021 homicide of Clara Hardwell. The trial was originally scheduled for June 2022; however, counsel for Gilbert filed a Motion for a Sanity Commission shortly before the trial date. The District Attorney’s office opposed Gilbert’s motion, and hearings were held June 13-14, 2022.
Judge Scott Leehy presided over the motion. After hearing evidence, he ruled that Gilbert was competent to stand trial and denied the motion. The defense counsel appealed the ruling.
The Court of Appeal for the Second Circuit reviewed the matter and affirmed Judge Leehy’s ruling that Gilbert was competent to proceed to trial. Jury selection is scheduled for Monday.
