GRETNA, La. — Testimony is underway in the trial of two former Jefferson Parish deputies accused of manslaughter.
Both the prosecution and defense agree on one thing, nobody had to die in the early morning hours of February 16, 2022.
But they disagree on the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of 34-year-old Daniel Vallee.
He was shot and killed by deputies while sitting inside an SUV, in front of what authorities called a known crack house.
According to prosecutors, former Deputies Jonathan Louis, 37, and Isaac Hughes, 31, were not justified when they fired 27 times at an unarmed Vallee.
Louis and Hughes were among five deputies responding to the complaint when they encountered Vallee.
Vallee’s family members spoke briefly outside the JP courthouse.
“I love my son,” Vallee’s mother Tammie Jamhour said. “I miss my son and I just want my son to get justice. No one deserves to die like he died.”
“From the beginning, the sheriff himself said it was unjustifiable and from what we’re seeing now, it’s still unjustifiable,” his brother Christopher Vallee said.
Following opening statements, the jury watched body camera video of the shooting and the moments leading up to the gunfire.
Deputy Edward Beck, the first to arrive on the scene, is heard on the video ordering Vallee to get out of the vehicle.
He said, “Turn the car off. If you reach for anything crazy, you turn this truck on, you dictate your own future. I just need you to step out.”
While being questioned by prosecutor Rachel Africk, Beck testified: “I had the best view inside the car. I didn’t feel I needed to draw my weapon.”
About 15 minutes into the encounter, the video showed Vallee restarting and revving the engine of his SUV, dropping his hands, and beeping his horn.
That’s when Louis and Hughes started shooting, striking Vallee.
Under defense questioning by attorney Frank Desalvo, Beck testified he was concerned that he could not see Vallee’s right hand or what may have been in it.
Desalvo: Did you believe any deputy had violated any laws or procedures?
Deputy Beck: No, sir.
The jury also watched a body camera video from Deputy David Thornton.
It showed deputies surrounding the SUV and Hughes and Louis firing at Vallee, who was seated in the vehicle.
Thornton testified that while he did not perceive an immediate threat, but he was concerned Vallee may have a gun or accelerate toward deputies on the scene.
“We’re here to let you all know that Danny Valle had got shot for no point or reason,” Vallee’s sister-in-law Annie Vallee told reporters.
Five days after the shooting, the JPSO reported Hughes and Louis had been arrested and fired.
They are both charged with manslaughter, which carries a prison sentence of up to 40 years in prison.
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