Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw
State of Louisiana v. Deon Ray Bartie
Date: 02-09-2025
Case Number: 23-780
Judge: Not Available
Court: 33rd District Court, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
Plaintiff's Attorney: Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Lake Charles Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Click Here For The Best Lake Charles Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Lake Charles, Louisiana criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with r second degree murder, under La. R.S. 14:30.1(A)(3), as the provider of a drug implicated in the poly drug toxicity death of the victim.
* * *
The statute requires proof of the "direct cause" of death. This is as close as the State came. There was no proof whatsoever that defendant provided the victim with fentanyl, and the question was never asked whether consumption of methamphetamine alone was the direct cause of death of this victim. We therefore find evidence presented in this case was insufficient under the Jackson v. Virginia standard.
* * *
Legal issue Did the appellate court correctly reverse the defendant's second-degree murder conviction due to insufficient evidence that the victim ingested methamphetamine provided by the defendant as the direct cause of death?
Key Phrases Second degree murder. Insufficient evidence. Controlled dangerous substance. Poly drug toxicity. Methamphetamine distribution.
* * *
The statute requires proof of the "direct cause" of death. This is as close as the State came. There was no proof whatsoever that defendant provided the victim with fentanyl, and the question was never asked whether consumption of methamphetamine alone was the direct cause of death of this victim. We therefore find evidence presented in this case was insufficient under the Jackson v. Virginia standard.
* * *
Legal issue Did the appellate court correctly reverse the defendant's second-degree murder conviction due to insufficient evidence that the victim ingested methamphetamine provided by the defendant as the direct cause of death?
Key Phrases Second degree murder. Insufficient evidence. Controlled dangerous substance. Poly drug toxicity. Methamphetamine distribution.
Outcome:
Affirmed
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Louisiana v. Deon Ray Bartie?
The outcome was: Affirmed
Which court heard State of Louisiana v. Deon Ray Bartie?
This case was heard in 33rd District Court, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, LA. The presiding judge was Not Available.
Who were the attorneys in State of Louisiana v. Deon Ray Bartie?
Plaintiff's attorney: Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Lake Charles Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was State of Louisiana v. Deon Ray Bartie decided?
This case was decided on February 9, 2025.