Judge grants delay in LSU slayings trial

A judge Monday granted the state’s request to delay the second-degree murder trial of two Baton Rouge men accused in the December 2007 shooting deaths of two LSU graduate students from India.

Casey Jermaine Gathers, 24, and Michael Jermaine Lewis, 23, were scheduled to stand trial Monday in the slaying of Kiran Kumar Allam, 33, and Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma, 31, but prosecutor Steve Danielson told state District Judge Chip Moore that evidence collected during the investigation is still being turned over to the defense.

Gathers’ attorney, Beau Brock, and Lewis’ attorney, Jason Chatagnier, objected to postponing the trial with Brock arguing that Gathers’ is caught “in the vortex of this investigative maelstrom.” Brock also argued that some of the new information being given to the defense was never seen by the grand jury that indicted Gathers and Lewis.

Moore agreed to continue the trial and set an Oct. 25 hearing date. A new trial date was not set.

Comments

1) Comment by CountryAttorney - 14/08/2012

I agree that the Hatch trial was a disaster, but in all fairness Hillar Moore did not charge these defendants. The grand jury in both cases found that there was probable cause, and the grand jury charged (indicted) the defendants. The DA just has a hard time proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is probable 50% fault on the DA's office and 50% fault on the shoddy investigative work by either BRPD or EBSO.

2) Comment by MissCotillion - 14/08/2012

This will be a disaster like th Lil Boosie trial was a disaster for DA Moore. He charged on weak evidence and now this defense attorney is sharp enough to show how weak it is. I feel so sorry for the victims families-expecting justice and getting incompetence.

3) Comment by tradewinns - 14/08/2012

5 years and the evidence is not yet turned over to the defense? that sounds like someone needs to be fired.