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Jury finds one JPSO deputy guilty of negligent homicide

The verdict comes after three days of testimony and more than five hours of closing arguments.

JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — A Jefferson Parish jury found one deputy guilty of negligent homicide and a second deputy not guilty in the 2022 shooting death of Daniel Vallee.

The jury of six men and six women found Isaac Hughes guilty of negligent homicide and Jonathan Louis not guilty.

Hughes was the first to open fire on Vallee during the stop, firing 18 shots in all. Louis fired nine shots. 

The verdict came after three days of testimony and more than five hours of emotional closing arguments. The jury deliberated for about six hours.

“We appreciate the time and attention that the jury invested in listening to the evidence in this case.  This was a highly emotional case, and we respect the jury’s hard work in reaching their verdicts,” said Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office.

The two former Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies were charged with manslaughter.

The former lawmen were accused of shooting and killing Daniel Vallee while investigating a noise complaint in Marrero in the early morning hours of February 16, 2022.

Prosecutor Rachael Africk started the state’s summation by recounting Vallee’s final words.

She said, “Please put the guns down. Please put the guns down. Those are the last words Daniel Vallee uttered on this earth Before these two men fired 26 shots and ended his 34-year life.”

Africk then replayed police body camera video of deputies repeatedly pleading with Vallee to get out of his vehicle.

The jury watched Vallee die in a hail of 27 bullets more than a half-dozen times on video after he suddenly dropped his hands, revved his engine, and beeped his horn.

Africk said, “Yes, he should have gotten out of the car, everyone should comply with police officers, but the penalty for not complying isn’t losing his life.”

Attorney John Fuller gave an equally gripping and powerful closing in defense of his client Isaac Hughes.

He warned members of the jury that a manslaughter conviction could have a chilling effect on law enforcement.

Fuller suggested it could lead to more police funerals if officers fear their use of force could result in them being prosecuted.

“It was self-defense, it wasn’t criminal negligence,” Fuller said.

Some members of the jury wiped tears after Fuller raised his voice saying, “All these boys wanted to do is serve their community. That’s all they wanted to do…We teach our boys to get a good job. Take care of your family and do your community right.”

Louis’s Attorney Frank DeSalvo followed up saying, “Don’t get me wrong, my client killed Mr. Vallee. The only issue is did he act reasonably Nobody had to die, but he (Vallee) chose the time and place.”

The JPSO had just gotten body cameras a few months before the deadly shooting. This is the first police shooting in Jefferson Parish where body camera video is playing a major role.

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