UPDATE: The judge did not make any decisions about a change of venue on Wednesday night, after more than 12 hours spent at the 25th Judicial District Court. Several expert witnesses were called to the stand, along with the Sheriff of the parish.Those involved in the case expect to find out the judge’s decision within the next 10 days. An 18-year-old accused of purposefully hitting a Plaquemines Parish deputy with an ATV last year went to court Wednesday. His attorneys requested a change of venue because they do not feel Reginald Hamilton would be able to receive a fair trial in Plaquemines Parish.Hamilton is facing up to 15 years for aggravated battery. A plea deal is on the table that would require jail time.The 18-year-old is accused of purposefully hitting a Plaquemines Parish deputy with an ATV last year on the Woodland Bridge. “We have never tried to run away from what the kids did that night. We know they were riding ATVs illegally on a highway. What we disagree about is the Sheriff’s perception of Reginald intentionally trying to harm a deputy that night,” said Dr. Ashonta Wyatt, spokesperson for the Hamilton family. Lawyers said they worry racial issues could impact the trial, as well as potentially disparaging comments attorneys said Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Gerald Turlich made about Hamilton in the aftermath of the crash.Lawyers said Turlich was heard inside a public restaurant telling others he wished Hamilton was dead while Hamilton and the deputy injured were in critical condition. They also argued that a biased comment made by the sheriff online about the case had the potential to sway residents of the parish who could be potential jurors. The sheriff did admit to his comments made online. Still, prosecutors argued this is not enough to request a change of venue. Hamilton’s attorney, Thompson said, “Under case law, it talks about the nature and publicity of a case. And whether or not officials make comments about the case. Because the sheriff is an elected official, we feel a judge should hear those comments and make a determination.”Hamilton was first charged with attempted murder and then aggravated second-degree battery after dashcam video showed contradictions in how the incident unfolded. We are told the deputy had to have his leg amputated. “The deputy, per the videotape, ran into the pathway of the ATV. And he extended his leg. That’s how he got that injury. And we do sympathize with that,” Wyatt said.This followed a deputy-involved chase in Plaquemines after Hamilton and several of his friends were seen riding ATVs along the highway.Officials said the trial is set to start in October, that is, unless Hamilton takes a plea deal.
PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. —
UPDATE: The judge did not make any decisions about a change of venue on Wednesday night, after more than 12 hours spent at the 25th Judicial District Court. Several expert witnesses were called to the stand, along with the Sheriff of the parish.
Those involved in the case expect to find out the judge’s decision within the next 10 days.
An 18-year-old accused of purposefully hitting a Plaquemines Parish deputy with an ATV last year went to court Wednesday. His attorneys requested a change of venue because they do not feel Reginald Hamilton would be able to receive a fair trial in Plaquemines Parish.
Hamilton is facing up to 15 years for aggravated battery. A plea deal is on the table that would require jail time.
The 18-year-old is accused of purposefully hitting a Plaquemines Parish deputy with an ATV last year on the Woodland Bridge.
“We have never tried to run away from what the kids did that night. We know they were riding ATVs illegally on a highway. What we disagree about is the Sheriff’s perception of Reginald intentionally trying to harm a deputy that night,” said Dr. Ashonta Wyatt, spokesperson for the Hamilton family.
Lawyers said they worry racial issues could impact the trial, as well as potentially disparaging comments attorneys said Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Gerald Turlich made about Hamilton in the aftermath of the crash.
Lawyers said Turlich was heard inside a public restaurant telling others he wished Hamilton was dead while Hamilton and the deputy injured were in critical condition.
They also argued that a biased comment made by the sheriff online about the case had the potential to sway residents of the parish who could be potential jurors.
The sheriff did admit to his comments made online. Still, prosecutors argued this is not enough to request a change of venue.
Hamilton’s attorney, Thompson said, “Under case law, it talks about the nature and publicity of a case. And whether or not officials make comments about the case. Because the sheriff is an elected official, we feel a judge should hear those comments and make a determination.”
Hamilton was first charged with attempted murder and then aggravated second-degree battery after dashcam video showed contradictions in how the incident unfolded. We are told the deputy had to have his leg amputated.
“The deputy, per the videotape, ran into the pathway of the ATV. And he extended his leg. That’s how he got that injury. And we do sympathize with that,” Wyatt said.
This followed a deputy-involved chase in Plaquemines after Hamilton and several of his friends were seen riding ATVs along the highway.
Officials said the trial is set to start in October, that is, unless Hamilton takes a plea deal.
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