Annie Lovell
January 28, 2008January 30
January 30, 2008A 32-year-old Raceland man is facing up to 30 years in jail following his conviction last Tuesday for his fourth DWI offense.
Michael Foret, 32, was charged Jan. 26, 2007, after he crashed into another vehicle from behind. Foret was on probation for a previous DWI when the accident occurred.
“It was fortunate that our victim in this case was not seriously injured,” said District Attorney Camille A. Morvant II. “But it shows how dangerous an impaired driver can be.”
At Foret’s trial, Louisiana State Police Trooper Charity Knobloch and Captain Sonny Hansen of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office testified. While off-duty, Hansen told jurors he reported Foret to Lafourche Parish authorities for driving erratically shortly before the accident.
After the wreck, Foret refused to take a breath test, Knobloch testified.
“State police did a great job in investigating the case, which was obviously clear to the jury,” Assistant District Attorney Peter Rousse said. “We have taken a dangerous driver off the streets.”
District Judge F. Hugh Larose will sentence Foret March 14. The Raceland man could face additional time for the prior DWIs, according to the district attorney’s office.
Thibodaux man absconds from drug trial
District Judge Jerome J. Barbera III issued a warrant for Charles Howard, 22, of Thibodaux, after a jury found him guilt of possessing cocaine, the district attorney’s office reported.
While investigating a robbery complaint, Thibodaux Police detective T.J. Crochet found crack cocaine in Howard’s pocket. At last Wednesday’s trial, a jury returned a guilty verdict, despite Howard’s absence from the proceedings.
Because Howard was free on bond, he was free to come and go during the trial. After the verdict was read, that all changed.
“When a defendant is out on bond, he is free to come and go like another person in the courtroom,” said Assistant District Attorney Joe Soignet, who along with Jennifer Richard prosecuted the case. “Since they are presumed innocent, we can’t cuff or restrain them in the presence of the jury. But sometimes they decide they don’t want to stick around to see how things go.”
A sentencing date will be set after Howard is arrested.
The district attorney’s office said as a multiple offender, Howard can be sentenced to twice the maximum – five years – on a habitual offender charge.
