CHALMETTE, La. -- St. Bernard Parish District Attorney Perry Nicosia said it took the jury just two and a half hours to convict 34-year-old David Merwin in a horrific case involving two young brothers.
"Mr. Merwin raped a 10-year-old boy, and his 7-year-old brother he molested and did horrendous acts to that young child," said Nicosia.
Merwin was sentenced to life in prison, plus 60 years. The district attorney said this is what St. Bernard residents should expect from his prosecutors.
"One, we will have jury trials. Two, we will make sure victims are protected and the community is protected from sexual predators."
Nicosia said his goal is one trial a month, and he has set up a violent offenders unit, charging suspects as multiple offenders where possible.
"We take the 30 to 40 most serious cases, those cases involving drug dealers, those cases involving sexual predators, things that are of the utmost importance to our community, and we fast track those cases to trial."
Nicosia said word is spreading that his office is holding more jury trials, and that is leading defendants to ask for plea bargains. But Nicosia said that is not a get out of jail free card. He is seeking stiff sentences.
"Not only are we getting requests for plea deals, we are getting requests for substantial jail time as part of their initial offer to this office, which is encouraging. Never before has a defendant come to court and asked an assistant district attorney, 'I'll take 10 years,' as his initial offer, rather than go to trial."
Coming up are three murder cases, plus rapes and armed robberies.
"As a judge, I was always home, 99 percent of the time at 5 p.m. As District Attorney, I am 99 percent of the time at work at 6 p.m."
You can see he's enjoying it.
