Hope Youth Ranch case goes to trial
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Trial
began Monday for six of eight defendants accused of negligent homicide in the
death of Alex Harris, a 12-year-old boy who died after collapsing at Hope Youth
Ranch.
Originally
indicted were three former employees from Claiborne Parish. Tasha Jackson of
Haynesville, Troy Hamilton and Anthony Combs, both of Homer. The other five
included Marcus D. Jones of Castor, Kelton Greenard of Minden, Arthur G.
Henderson of Cotton Valley, Jeremy Blanks of Springhill, and Willis Doyle of
Castor.
If
convicted, each faces up to a 5-year prison sentence.
The
three are also being charged with cruelty to a juvenile, which carries up to a
10-year prison sentence.
Charges
against two of those defendants – Blanks and Hamilton – were dropped
previously, but charges against three more were dropped Monday in exchange for
their testimony. Jones, Doyle and Jackson are now set to testify for the
prosecution.
Each
defendant has waived a trial by jury, instead accepting a trial by judge. In
other words, presiding Judge Parker Self will determine the fate of the
remaining three defendants instead of a jury of their peers.
On September 13, 2005, Harris had reportedly been running all morning as disciplinary action
for an infraction at the boys’ residential treatment facility. According to
Webster District Attorney Schuyler Marvin, Harris collapsed after running all
morning with a group of older teens. Marvin indicated that some of the boys
ridiculed and kicked Harris, but one of the older boys tried to carry the boy.
After
repeated requests for water and rest, reports say, Harris was denied both. By
that afternoon, Harris had died despite every effort by paramedics to revive him.
Autopsy
results indicated that Harris died from dehydration and trauma to the head.
When Harris collapsed, an older boy picked him up and carried him, but dropped
him when he began to vomit. The head trauma was likely caused when the boy
dropped Harris, reports say.
In
opening statements, attorney Larry English, representing Greenard and
Henderson, intends to show that his clients and Combs, the third defendant in
the case, were poorly trained, calling them scapegoats in a tragic incident.
“We
believe these three men are scapegoats,” English said. “The state dismissed the
charges against those who did this. The state failed to indict Hope Youth Ranch
and those supervisors. The state turned their attention to three young men who
were poorly trained and supervised.”
Patrick
Jefferson, representing Combs, said in his remarks that the state won’t be able
to prove their case.
“The
state will not be able to prove they did this,” he said. “Those indicted did
not have the capacity to carry out this act.”
Jefferson continued by saying Combs was doing what he was told to
do and those supervising individuals were not indicted.
The
prosecuting attorney, Jack Montgomery, did not make an opening statement.
Instead, he called the first witness, Chris Haynes, agency administrator of
Hope Youth Ranch since 1996.
Throughout Haynes’ testimony,
policies and procedures of the Ranch and in-school suspension were repeatedly
referred to by Montgomery and the defense attorneys. Haynes testified that all
three defendants were trained in procedures for first aid/CPR. He testified
that if a child is sick, employees are to follow policy. That policy says that
if the illness or injury is serious, direct care staff are to consult the
facility nurse. If the illness or injury is deadly, direct care staff are
required to call 911.
In efforts to show
the three defendants were poorly trained, English repeatedly questioned Haynes
about the training direct care staff receive.
According
to Haynes’ testimony, new employees go through a one-week orientation where
they are trained in several different aspects of care. In this orientation,
punitive responses and prohibited responses are read to the employees. At the
end of this orientation, no tests are given to ensure they know the material
covered. Haynes testified that the orientation trainer uses his/her judgment to
determine if they know the material covered. However, there is a probationary
period for employees.
In
English’s cross-examination, he asked Haynes several questions regarding the
nurse, her duties as well as the duties of the direct care staff.
Harris
was on medication, and direct care staff are trained to determine whether the
boy was slacking or faking or if he was truly in serious medical trouble,
Haynes said.
Harris
had a history of “noncompliance.” That day, he was in in-school suspension for
what Haynes called “troublesome behavior.” Harris was described as a troubled
child and had been involved in the court system. He was considered
ungovernable, which means he did not follow rules and was essentially
uncontrollable.
The
trial is expected to last throughout the week.
Early Voting begins next week
Early voting for the November 4 election will be Tuesday,
October 21, through Tuesday, October 28. Office hours will be 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day. The office will be closed on Sunday, October 26.
On the Ballot:
• U.S. President
• U.S. Senator
• Runoff for U.S. Representative for the 4th Congressional
District --Democratic and Republican Party (Second Party Primary)
• Runoff for the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office
• 7 proposed Constitutional Amendments
Proposed Constitutional Amendments 1 and
2
The Guardian-Journal
As
stated in last week’s edition of The Guardian-Journal, a series of articles on
the seven proposed constitutional amendments on November 4’s ballot will be
written. This is the second of that series.
Last
week’s article covered Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 4, House Bill 420,
in which the severance tax cap, if passed, will raise the cap from $850,000 to
$2.85 million. Remember, this is money that is already paid into the state and
$850,000 of that comes back to Claiborne Parish. If passed, this means that by
2011, Claiborne Parish will see up to $2.85 million returned to the parish for
road and infrastructure repairs and upkeep.
This
week, Constitutional Amendments No. 1 and 2 will be discussed. This is how
Amendment No. 1 will look on the ballot.
Constitutional Amendment No. 1
“ACT
NO. 935 – Senate Bill No. 232, Regular Session, 2008
To
provide for term limits for members of the Public Service Commission, the State
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Regents, the Board of
Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System, the Board of Supervisors of
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, the Board
of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College,
the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges, the Louisiana
Forestry Commission, the State Civil Service Commission, and the State Police
Commission; to provide that a person who has served for more than two and
one-half terms in three consecutive terms shall not be appointed or elected to
the succeeding term; and to provide for a limit on service on more than one
such board or commission. (Amends Article IV, Section 21(A), Article VIII,
Sections 3(B), 5(B), 6(B), 7(B), and 7.1(B), Article IX, Section 8(B), and
Article X, Sections 3(B) and 43(B); Adds Article IV, Section 22)”
As
explained by a guide to the proposed constitutional amendments by the Public
Affairs Research Council (PAR), the current situation allows members of certain
state boards and commissions to be re-elected or re-appointed to an unlimited
number of terms. This amendment seeks to limit the number of terms a member can
serve on these boards or commissions.
“A few
of them already have limitations on the number of terms a member can be
appointed or elected to serve,” the guide states, “but there are no term limits
that apply generally or that prevent appointment to a separate board following
a term limit being reached.”
The
proposed change would provide a limit of three consecutive terms a person could
serve or be re-appointed for at least two years.
The
boards that would be limited include:
•
Public Service Commission
• State
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE Board)
• Board
of Regents
• Board
of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System
• Board
of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical
College
• Board
of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College;
Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges
•
Forestry Commission
• State
Civil Service Commission
• State
Police Commission
The
current members of these boards, if they have served more than three terms,
would be allowed to finish their term, but would not be re-elected or
re-appointed to another term for a period of at least two years.
Those
in favor of this proposal argue that term limits would promote “diversity of
perspectives in public service,” the PAR guide states. Opponents argue that
many of these boards and commissions require specialized knowledge that takes
years to acquire and “should not be set aside for the sake of an arbitrary term
limit.”
Constitutional Amendment No. 2
“ACT
NO. 937 – Senate Bill No. 296, Regular Session, 2008
To
require a proclamation which calls the legislature into extraordinary session
to be issued at least seven calendar days prior to the convening of the
legislature in extraordinary session. (Amends Article III, Section 2 (B))”
Authored
by Sen. Robert Adley, the senate bill was drafted in hopes of clarifying how
many days advanced notice the public should have of a called legislative
special session.
“The
current constitution says that when you call a special session it has to be
five days in advance,” Adley said. “Every administrator has interpreted that to
mean five clear days, which means the day of the call would not count in the
five and the day you go into session would not count.”
He said
Gov. Bobby Jindal took the current constitution to mean that the day it is
called and the day session starts are included in those five days. Through this
amendment, it would clear up any confusion.
“The
public only has three days when the intent was to be a full five,” Adley said.
“The constitutional amendment changes that to seven, so that no matter how many
days (are planned) the public has five days of notice. Some people said it
violated the constitution, others say it didn’t, so my intent was to make sure
that the public has adequate notice to look at what we’re about to do when we
go into a special session.”
According
to the PAR guide, vague constitutional language prompted the proposal. The idea
is to eliminate confusion over whether the days should be counted as 24-hour
periods or by calendar days. Asking for seven days would also fix the problem
of how to count weekend days. For example, if the governor issues a call for a
special session on a Thursday, the number of days for public notice would count
Saturday and Sunday as calendar days instead of 24-hour periods.
“At
least ‘seven calendar’ days prior to convening the legislature in extraordinary
(special) session, the governor or the presiding officers, as the case may be,
shall issue a proclamation stating the objects of the ‘extraordinary’ session,
the date on which it shall convene, and the number of days for which it is
covered,” the senate bill states.
Note:
The single quotes indicate underlined phrases or words written in the bill.
Parenthesis around “special” indicates the meaning of “extraordinary.”
Next
week, The Guardian-Journal will take a look at proposed constitutional
amendments 3 and 5.
Boyfriend strikes victim, knocking her
unconscious
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man was arrested last week after he allegedly beat his girlfriend bad enough to
knock her unconscious.
According
to Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, on October 11, Deputies Darren Keel and
J.T. Williams were dispatched to the residence of 2119 Airport Loop in
reference to a subject being beaten by her boyfriend.
Deputies
came into contact with the victim who had multiple injuries to her person. She
was transported by ambulance to Homer Memorial Hospital.
An
investigation was conducted into the incident, which led to the arrest of
Everett T. Robichaux Jr., 36, of Homer. Robichaux and the victim had argued,
and during the altercation, Robichaux struck the victim numerous times with a
homemade bat. She was hit in the head several times and knocked unconscious at
one point.
Robichaux
was arrested by Keel and charged with second degree battery/domestic. He was
booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond set at $20,000.
Bailey
continues to take a strong stance against domestic violence.
“This type
of crime will not be tolerated in Claiborne Parish,” the sheriff said.
“Domestic violence is a criminal offense and deputies will make arrests anytime
someone has received injuries.”
In
other news, a Grambling man found himself on the wrong side of the law when
deputies discovered his stash.
On
Thursday, October 9, Williams observed a vehicle traveling 73 in a 55 on La. 9.
The driver, Howard B. Jackson, 51, was driving without a valid license. A
search of records revealed Jackson did have an Alabama license, but it showed
to be suspended.
Homer
Police Officer John Bailey arrived on scene to assist. A search of the vehicle
revealed marijuana seeds and leaves in the center console and a 3-inch, clear
tube with Brillo wiring in one end in the glove compartment.
Jackson was placed under arrest, advised of his rights and
transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. He was charged with
speeding 73/55; driving under suspension; possession of drug paraphernalia and
possession of marijuana. His total bond was set at $2,000.
Williams
then questioned the passenger in the vehicle, Shervondolyn Martin, 35, of
Homer. Williams discovered a J&B 1.5 cigarette paper and a marijuana
cigarette on Martin’s person. She was arrested, advised of her rights and
transported to the Claiborne Parish Women’s Facility. Martin was booked on
charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia with
bond set at $1,000.
Claiborne Parish CERT to hold training
courses
CERT is
offering emergency preparedness courses to train Claiborne Parish citizens in
disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical 1 and 2, light search and
rescue, CERT organization, disaster psychology and terrorism and CERT. On the
last day of training, there will be a review and disaster simulation drill that
morning.
DATES
Monday, October 27
Monday, November 3
Monday, November 10
Monday, November 17
Saturday, November 22
This
course is approximately 20 hours and will prepare volunteers to help their
families, then branch out and help their neighbors when police or emergency
personnel cannot get to them because of the enormity of the disaster.
This
course is free and open to the first 20 people who sign up. To sign up, please
call Sheila Washington at the police jury office at 927-2222.
More drugs taken off the streets
The Guardian-Journal
Thanks
to police, more drugs have been taken off the streets in Homer.
Two
Homer men were arrested after police in the area heard shots fired.
Anthony
R. Daniels, 40, and Jerrod Cooper, 24, both of Homer, were arrested and charged
with several charges. Daniels was charged with illegal use of weapons/dangerous
instruments which carried a bond of $50,000, and possession with intent to
distribute a controlled dangerous substance, Schedule I marijuana. That charge
also carried a bond of $50,000, totaling $100,000. Cooper was charged with
possession with intent to distribute CDS Schedule I marijuana, which carried a
bond of $30,000; failure to pay child support, with a $2,000 bond and a
probation/parole violation, in which no bond was set.
The
incident occurred Friday, October 10, when Officers Van McDaniel and Mario
Thomas were on a traffic stop on Washington Street. The two officers heard
shots fired and Thomas put out a call for shots fired. McDaniel proceeded to
the area where the shots were fired from and when he arrived at the residence
on the 200 block of Anna Street, he questioned two females at the scene.
While
interviewing the two females, McDaniel observed Daniels going inside the
residence. Daniels immediately exited the residence and McDaniel began to
question him. During this interview, McDaniel detected a strong odor of what
appeared to be marijuana on his person. While talking to Daniels, the officer
spanned his flashlight over the yard area and observed spent shell casings.
After
finding the casings, Daniels was restrained and patted down for officer safety.
At this time, Daniels stated there were children inside the home without adult
supervision. McDaniel noticed another person inside the residence, and it was
at that time Daniels gave officers consent to conduct a welfare check on the
children.
McDaniel,
Captain Donald Malray and Officer Joseph Henry entered the residence where they
found a magazine clip containing the same type of ammunition as the shell
casings found in the yard. As the welfare check was conducted, another male –
Cooper – was found inside the home hiding.
At that
time, he was searched for officer safety. That search revealed several tablets
of what appeared to be “jigs,” or ecstasy on his person. Cooper was detained
for further investigation.
Upon
further investigation, the firearm from which the shell casings allegedly came
from was located. Officers also found a pan with a large quantity of what
appeared to be marijuana seeds. Also found inside the residence was a clear
plastic bag of a green leafy vegetable substance which appeared to be
marijuana.
Due to
the amount of evidence discovered at the scene, Sgt. Jimmy Hamilton requested
the assistance of Haynesville Police Officer Aaron Christian and his K-9
partner, Eddie.
The
Homer Police Department sends a special thank you to Christian and his partner
for their assistance in this case.
The
children were removed from the residence and placed into the custody of family
members.
High speed chase ends in arrest
The Guardian-Journal
A
Haynesville man thought he was going to get away from authorities, but he
thought wrong – and racked up several charges along the way.
On
Wednesday, October 6, Haynesville Police Officer Aaron Christian became engaged
in a vehicle pursuit on U.S. Hwy. 79. Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputies Marc
Herring, Roger Ellerbe and Paul Brazzel responded to assist Christian.
Officers
discovered the vehicle abandoned on Pinehill Spur Road. Herring located the
suspect, Adolph Robinson, 51.
When
Herring tried to arrest Robinson, he became combative and fled on foot. As
Robinson was fleeing, he threw a plastic bag behind a residence, and the bag
contained suspected crack cocaine. Brazel, Ellerbe and Homer Police Officer
Mario Thomas assisted in arresting Robinson. He was then transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
The
Haynesville Police Department charged Robinson with speeding 42/30, with bond
set at $1,000; aggravated flight from an officer, with bond set at $15,000;
driving under suspension, with bond set at $1,000; reckless operation, with
bond set at $1,000; and speeding 110/55, with bond set at $5,000.
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office charged Robinson with possession of Schedule
II crack cocaine with bond set at $5,000; possession of drug paraphernalia,
with bond set at $1,000; and a failure to appear bench warrant with bond set at
$10,000.
In
other news, a Homer man racked up several drug charges after deputies
discovered several illegal items in his vehicle.
On
Saturday, October 11, Ellerbe observed a vehicle on Hwy. 79 traveling at a high
rate of speed. Upon requesting the necessary paperwork from the driver,
identified as Brandon Antwoine Dunn, 23, Ellerbe discovered Dunn’s driver’s
license was suspended.
Deputy
J.T. Williams arrived on scene to assist.
A
subsequent search of Dunn’s vehicle revealed a large clear plastic bag of
marijuana under the front driver’s seat. A further search was conducted and
Williams discovered a 40 oz. bottle of Old English on the front passenger
floorboard.
Dunn
was placed under arrest and charged with speeding 68/55; driving under
suspension; open container and possession with intent to distribute Schedule I
marijuana. Dunn was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with a bond total of $33,000.
CPSB makes policy changes
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Several
policy changes were implemented at the Claiborne Parish School Board meeting on
Thursday, October 9 in the board’s regular monthly session.
The
board members have made a decision to adopt a new sick leave policy for all
school employees, including paraprofessionals and other staff. Currently,
teachers and bus drivers already receive a certain number of sick days per
year. These sick days will now be available to all support personnel.
There
are new, stricter guidelines attached to this new policy. The teacher/employee
must provide a doctor’s excuse to receive sick leave if more than six
consecutive days are missed.
Ninety
emergency, extended sick-leave days are entitled to each employee every six
years. Employees must apply for the extended leave and proper doctor’s excuses
would be required upon each new occurance.
Sick
leave also covers the immediate family of the personnel which includes spouse,
child and parent. Upon retirement, up to 25 unused sick days will be paid the
daily rate of pay to each employee.
In
other business, the board allowed District Attorney candidate Darrell Avery to
take a moment to speak about his plans to work in conjunction with the
Claiborne Parish School Board if he is elected district attorney.
The
Board has also adopted a policy in which no school employee is allowed to
politic during school hours or make use of any school owned equipment. Teachers
should impress citizenship, but not promote any candidate during regular school
hours, on school grounds.
Teachers
can, of course, do all the politicking they want in their own hours. Doing it
during hours could result in termination.
Board
members were asked to accept the retirement of Diane Dyer, Special Education
Supervisor. The board will be advertising for Mrs. Dyer’s replacement, with
plans to have Dyer handle the training of the new supervisor.
The
next school board meeting is set for 7 p.m., Thursday, November 6 at the school
board office building in Homer.
Boys and Girls Club fundraiser brings in
$3,000
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Sen.
Mary Landrieu promised a packed house last Thursday that she would do
everything in her power to secure funding for the Boys and Girls Club of
Claiborne, now known as the Boys and Girls Club of Timber Ridge.
The
fundraiser, which raised approximately $3,000, was held at Claiborne Electric
in Homer Thursday, October 9. The fundraiser was also a celebration for the
club’s 10th anniversary.
Landrieu
said that more programs like this needed to be funded because it was much
cheaper to pay for these programs than to pay for a jail cell later.
“I’d
like to commit to you all that Rick and I are going to write a very encouraging
letter to the governor to say to look again at the Boys and Girls Club,” she
said, “Look again to see if it might be possible way for the state to be in
partnership in the community. We really do, I think, want to promote
public/private partnerships. This community has demonstrated the commitment to
these young people.”
She
said that communities who demonstrate this kind of commitment, she thinks the
state could find some money to at least match funds raised.
“I
really believe that we as elected officials have to put our money where our
mouth is,” she continued. “We say we want to support public/private
partnerships, and I can’t find any better place to invest public funds than
right here in the Boys and Girls Clubs, because they do so much work that if
it’s not done, it ends up being a drain on the public treasury.”
She
also made the connection that the woman running her office in New Orleans is
originally from Homer. Laverne Killgore was born and raised in Homer, and
Landrieu says she keeps up with what goes on in her hometown.
“She is
literally leading policies for rebuilding homes and housing in South Louisiana,” she said. “It just goes to show you that you can go on and do remarkable
things.”
Before
Landrieu took the podium, Dr. Alice Stewart, a founding member of the Boys and
Girls Clubs of Claiborne, gave a brief history of the organization.
Officially
launched in 1998, the club obtained its 501(c)3 status. The organization began
in the old armory building in Homer, in which inmates from David Wade Correctional Center provided labor to make the building habitable. Today, the Boys
and Girls Club has three units, one in Homer, one in Haynesville and one in Minden.
“It’s
just really great to hear the history of this club and the vision of how this
community came together and put your arms around your children and give them
your thoughts, but most importantly your time,” Landrieu said.
It has
several different funding sources, but truthfully, it’s still just not enough.
The clubs get funding from grants when they can get them, raffles, garage
sales, sports tournaments, barbecue dinners, woodwork sales from DWCC and
private donations. Although these avenues do provide some funding, when Gov.
Bobby Jindal cut state funding, it hurt the organization’s finances.
Since then,
board members and the community have worked hard through the funding sources
listed above to raise the money necessary to give the children of Claiborne
Parish constructive after-school activities, some tutoring and a place to go
while their parents work.
Membership
for children is $10 per child. To find out more about how to help, or to make a
donation, please call the Boys and Girls Club of Timber Ridge at 927-2718.
Homer Masonic Lodge celebrates 150 years
Donnie Broughton to be keynote speaker
The Guardian-Journal
The
Homer Masonic Lodge #152 will celebrate 150 in existence.
On
Sunday, October 26, from 2 until 4 p.m., the public is invited to join Homer
Masons in celebrating their anniversary and saying hello to an old friend.
The
keynote speaker for the event will be Donnie Broughton, a native of Homer and a
1970 Homer High School graduate. The past Grand Master of Texas, Broughton
brings with him an impressive resume.
Born in
Shreveport in 1952, Broughton has been married to his wife, Susie for 34
years, and they have two sons, Kris of Irving, Texas, and Karly of Rockwall, Texas.
His
Masonic career includes an array of positions where he has been a Mason member.
In the Blue Lodge, he has been a past master and endowed member of Caddo Lodge
#581 in Caddo Mills, Texas; an endowed member of Henry Thomas Lodge #278 of
Smithwich, Texas, and Milam Lodge #11 of Lamesa, Texas. He is also a life
member of Excelsior Lodge #505 of Wolfe City, Texas, just to name a few.
In the
Grand Lodge of Texas, he served as grand master in 2007 as well as a number of
different positions since his membership there began in 1995.
He is
also a member of the Scottish Rite, which includes an endowed member of the
Dallas Valley of the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, S.J., U.S.A.; 32 Degree
Knight Commander of the Court of Honour; 16th Scottish Rite Degree Master and a
member of the Hunt County Scottish Rite Club.
His
York Rite affiliations include past high priest of Greenville Chapter No. 114,
Royal Arch Masons of Greenville, Texas; as well as several others.
He is
also a member of Hella Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S., of Garland, Texas as well as a
member of the East Texas Shrine Club. He has had several positions with the
Order of the Eastern Star and other Masonic affiliations.
As
stated, he is a 1970 graduate of Homer High School and received his bachelor’s
degree from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston in 1974. He has been a faithful
member of the Christian community serving in many different capacities
including Sunday school teacher, interim choir director and elder at various
churches throughout Louisiana and Texas.
He also
has an impressive work resume, with his most recent endeavor as the owner of
Donald Broughton Enterprises, Inc. in Caddo Mills, Texas, where he resides. He
is a member of the National Association of Realtors, a member of the Texas
Association of Realtors, a member of the Metro Tex Association of Realtors, a
Certified Negotiation Specialist and others.
His
hobbies include music and fishing.
Light
refreshments will be served. Again, this historical event will be held at the
Homer Masonic Lodge, located on the north side of The Square on the third
floor. It will be from 2 until 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, and it is open to
the public.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
