PHILIP JOSEPH TRICHE, JR. NO. 24-CA-369
VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT
DANIELLE DEMARCO TRICHE COURT OF APPEAL
STATE OF LOUISIANA
ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF ST. CHARLES, STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 91,947, DIVISION "E" HONORABLE LAUREN D. ROGERS, JUDGE PRESIDING
February 26, 2025
MARC E. JOHNSON JUDGE
Panel composed of Judges Susan M. Chehardy, Fredericka Homberg Wicker, and Marc E. Johnson
AFFIRMED MEJ SMC FHW COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLANT, PHILIP JOSEPH TRICHE, JR. Mark A. Marino
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLEE, DANIELLE TRICHE Renee L. Swanson JOHNSON, J.
Plaintiff/Appellant, Philip Joseph Triche, Jr., appeals the trial court’s
judgment that granted a La. C.C. art. 103(4) divorce against him and in favor of
Defendant/Appellee, Danielle DeMarco Triche, which was rendered in the 29th
Judicial District Court, Division “D”. The judgment also ordered Philip to pay
Danielle’s attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to La. R.S. 9:314. For the following
reasons, we affirm the trial court’s judgment and assess Philip with Danielle’s
costs and attorney’s fees associated with this appeal.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The facts of this appeal are brief. On March 21, 2023, Philip filed a petition
for divorce under La. C.C. art. 102 against Danielle. In his petition, he stated that
he and Danielle were married on April 10, 2005, and two minor children were born
of the marriage. Philip alleged that he physically separated from Danielle on
March 12, 2023 and had lived separate and apart, continuously and without
reconciliation. He stated that he intended to live apart from Danielle for the
requisite time to obtain a divorce.1 On April 7, 2023, Danielle filed a
reconventional demand, alleging she was entitled to a divorce from Philip,
pursuant to La. C.C. art. 103(4) and (5), arising from an incident of physical abuse
that occurred on March 12, 2023. In the alternative, she prayed for a divorce
pursuant to La. C.C. art. 102.
A divorce trial was held on November 6, 2023. At trial, the judge stated she
would take judicial notice of a previous factual determination concerning an
incident of abuse by Philip. In a written judgment rendered on the same date, the
trial court granted Danielle a divorce from Philip, pursuant to La. C.C. art. 103(4).
The judgment also ordered Philip to pay all of Danielle’s attorney’s fees and costs
1 La. C.C. art. 103.1 provides that the requisite period of time for a La. C.C. art. 102 divorce when there are minor children of the marriage at the time the rule to show cause is filed is 365 days.
24-CA-369 1 associated with the proceeding, pursuant to La. R.S. 9:314. Philip’s instant appeal
followed.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
On appeal, Philip alleges that the trial court abused its discretion by: 1)
granting a divorce based upon La. C.C. art. 103(4) by taking judicial notice of
unspecified actions and/or pleadings in a separate judicial proceeding, and 2)
awarding attorney’s fees under La. R.S. 9:314 without a proper finding of fault or
setting a hearing to determine the amount of those fees.
LAW AND ANALYSIS
La. C.C. art. 103(4) Divorce
Philip alleges the trial court abused its discretion in granting a La. C.C. art.
103(4) divorce by taking judicial notice of certain unspecified actions and/or
pleadings in a separate judicial proceeding. He argues that the sole issue at trial
was his petition for a La. C.C. art. 102 divorce. Philip contends that, instead of
considering the La. C.C. art. 102 divorce before it, the trial court took judicial
notice “of everything” from a separate proceeding. He avers that the trial court
was unsure if the divorce on the La. C.C. art. 103(4) fault grounds was based upon
the judicial notice of a temporary restraining order, a criminal order of protection, a
“stay away” order, or a protective order. Philip further argues that, even assuming
the trial court properly took judicial notice of some adjudicative fact, the court
failed to determine questions of fact and law that supported a finding that a single
act of violence arose to the level of a divorce in accordance with La. C.C. art.
103(4).
Danielle avers the trial court properly granted the La. C.C. art. 103(4)
divorce against Philip based upon the trial court’s previous May 5, 2023 factual
determination that Philip had physically abused her. She maintains that Philip’s
act of strangulation upon her, which was proven at the May 5th hearing, entitled her
24-CA-369 2 to an immediate, fault-based divorce. She contends the court simply took judicial
notice of the evidence presented at the May 5th hearing and its previous finding of
Philip’s physical abuse against her.
La. C.C. art. 103(4) provides, except in the case of a covenant marriage, a
divorce shall be granted on the petition of a spouse upon proof that, during the
marriage, the other spouse physically or sexually abused the spouse seeking
divorce or a child of one of the spouses, regardless of whether the other spouse was
prosecuted for the act of abuse. The petitioning spouse bears the burden of proving
the claims of physical abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. Norton v.
Norton, 21-212 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/22/21), 335 So.3d 371, 382. A finding of fault
is an issue that turns largely on evaluations of witness credibility. Id. A trial
court’s finding of fault in a domestic dispute is a factual determination subject to
the manifest error standard of review. Id. The trial court’s factual determination
regarding physical abuse by one spouse upon the other is entitled to great weight
on appeal and will not be disturbed, unless manifest error is shown. Id.
La. C.C. art. 103(4) neither defines “physical abuse,” nor do the laws or
jurisprudence addressing family violence or domestic abuse provide a concrete
definition of what actions would constitute “physical abuse” for purposes of
obtaining an immediate divorce. Norton, supra. The question of whether a single
physical altercation between spouses arises to the level of physical abuse, which
would warrant a fault-based judgment of divorce under La. C.C. art. 103(4),
presents a mixed question of fact and law that is to be determined by the trier of
fact. Id. Mixed questions of fact and law should be accorded great deference by
appellate courts under the manifest error standard of review. Id. As a mixed
question of fact and law, a trial court’s finding that a physical injury inflicted by
one spouse upon the other arises to the level of physical abuse sufficient to warrant
a fault-based divorce should be afforded great deference by a reviewing court. Id.
24-CA-369 3 In this matter, at a May 5, 2023 custody hearing2 in the same district court
case number, Danielle presented her testimony and the testimony of Sgt. Scott
Huff of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office to support a claim of physical abuse
that occurred on March 12, 2023. During his testimony, Sgt. Huff described his
interactions with Philip and Danielle on the day of the incident. He stated that he
was dispatched to an address where Danielle was located. Upon his arrival, Sgt.
Huff observed that Danielle was disheveled, upset, and crying, and she had scratch
and strangulation marks on both sides of her neck. Danielle advised him that
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PHILIP JOSEPH TRICHE, JR. NO. 24-CA-369
VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT
DANIELLE DEMARCO TRICHE COURT OF APPEAL
STATE OF LOUISIANA
ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF ST. CHARLES, STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 91,947, DIVISION "E" HONORABLE LAUREN D. ROGERS, JUDGE PRESIDING
February 26, 2025
MARC E. JOHNSON JUDGE
Panel composed of Judges Susan M. Chehardy, Fredericka Homberg Wicker, and Marc E. Johnson
AFFIRMED MEJ SMC FHW COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLANT, PHILIP JOSEPH TRICHE, JR. Mark A. Marino
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLEE, DANIELLE TRICHE Renee L. Swanson JOHNSON, J.
Plaintiff/Appellant, Philip Joseph Triche, Jr., appeals the trial court’s
judgment that granted a La. C.C. art. 103(4) divorce against him and in favor of
Defendant/Appellee, Danielle DeMarco Triche, which was rendered in the 29th
Judicial District Court, Division “D”. The judgment also ordered Philip to pay
Danielle’s attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to La. R.S. 9:314. For the following
reasons, we affirm the trial court’s judgment and assess Philip with Danielle’s
costs and attorney’s fees associated with this appeal.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The facts of this appeal are brief. On March 21, 2023, Philip filed a petition
for divorce under La. C.C. art. 102 against Danielle. In his petition, he stated that
he and Danielle were married on April 10, 2005, and two minor children were born
of the marriage. Philip alleged that he physically separated from Danielle on
March 12, 2023 and had lived separate and apart, continuously and without
reconciliation. He stated that he intended to live apart from Danielle for the
requisite time to obtain a divorce.1 On April 7, 2023, Danielle filed a
reconventional demand, alleging she was entitled to a divorce from Philip,
pursuant to La. C.C. art. 103(4) and (5), arising from an incident of physical abuse
that occurred on March 12, 2023. In the alternative, she prayed for a divorce
pursuant to La. C.C. art. 102.
A divorce trial was held on November 6, 2023. At trial, the judge stated she
would take judicial notice of a previous factual determination concerning an
incident of abuse by Philip. In a written judgment rendered on the same date, the
trial court granted Danielle a divorce from Philip, pursuant to La. C.C. art. 103(4).
The judgment also ordered Philip to pay all of Danielle’s attorney’s fees and costs
1 La. C.C. art. 103.1 provides that the requisite period of time for a La. C.C. art. 102 divorce when there are minor children of the marriage at the time the rule to show cause is filed is 365 days.
24-CA-369 1 associated with the proceeding, pursuant to La. R.S. 9:314. Philip’s instant appeal
followed.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
On appeal, Philip alleges that the trial court abused its discretion by: 1)
granting a divorce based upon La. C.C. art. 103(4) by taking judicial notice of
unspecified actions and/or pleadings in a separate judicial proceeding, and 2)
awarding attorney’s fees under La. R.S. 9:314 without a proper finding of fault or
setting a hearing to determine the amount of those fees.
LAW AND ANALYSIS
La. C.C. art. 103(4) Divorce
Philip alleges the trial court abused its discretion in granting a La. C.C. art.
103(4) divorce by taking judicial notice of certain unspecified actions and/or
pleadings in a separate judicial proceeding. He argues that the sole issue at trial
was his petition for a La. C.C. art. 102 divorce. Philip contends that, instead of
considering the La. C.C. art. 102 divorce before it, the trial court took judicial
notice “of everything” from a separate proceeding. He avers that the trial court
was unsure if the divorce on the La. C.C. art. 103(4) fault grounds was based upon
the judicial notice of a temporary restraining order, a criminal order of protection, a
“stay away” order, or a protective order. Philip further argues that, even assuming
the trial court properly took judicial notice of some adjudicative fact, the court
failed to determine questions of fact and law that supported a finding that a single
act of violence arose to the level of a divorce in accordance with La. C.C. art.
103(4).
Danielle avers the trial court properly granted the La. C.C. art. 103(4)
divorce against Philip based upon the trial court’s previous May 5, 2023 factual
determination that Philip had physically abused her. She maintains that Philip’s
act of strangulation upon her, which was proven at the May 5th hearing, entitled her
24-CA-369 2 to an immediate, fault-based divorce. She contends the court simply took judicial
notice of the evidence presented at the May 5th hearing and its previous finding of
Philip’s physical abuse against her.
La. C.C. art. 103(4) provides, except in the case of a covenant marriage, a
divorce shall be granted on the petition of a spouse upon proof that, during the
marriage, the other spouse physically or sexually abused the spouse seeking
divorce or a child of one of the spouses, regardless of whether the other spouse was
prosecuted for the act of abuse. The petitioning spouse bears the burden of proving
the claims of physical abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. Norton v.
Norton, 21-212 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/22/21), 335 So.3d 371, 382. A finding of fault
is an issue that turns largely on evaluations of witness credibility. Id. A trial
court’s finding of fault in a domestic dispute is a factual determination subject to
the manifest error standard of review. Id. The trial court’s factual determination
regarding physical abuse by one spouse upon the other is entitled to great weight
on appeal and will not be disturbed, unless manifest error is shown. Id.
La. C.C. art. 103(4) neither defines “physical abuse,” nor do the laws or
jurisprudence addressing family violence or domestic abuse provide a concrete
definition of what actions would constitute “physical abuse” for purposes of
obtaining an immediate divorce. Norton, supra. The question of whether a single
physical altercation between spouses arises to the level of physical abuse, which
would warrant a fault-based judgment of divorce under La. C.C. art. 103(4),
presents a mixed question of fact and law that is to be determined by the trier of
fact. Id. Mixed questions of fact and law should be accorded great deference by
appellate courts under the manifest error standard of review. Id. As a mixed
question of fact and law, a trial court’s finding that a physical injury inflicted by
one spouse upon the other arises to the level of physical abuse sufficient to warrant
a fault-based divorce should be afforded great deference by a reviewing court. Id.
24-CA-369 3 In this matter, at a May 5, 2023 custody hearing2 in the same district court
case number, Danielle presented her testimony and the testimony of Sgt. Scott
Huff of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office to support a claim of physical abuse
that occurred on March 12, 2023. During his testimony, Sgt. Huff described his
interactions with Philip and Danielle on the day of the incident. He stated that he
was dispatched to an address where Danielle was located. Upon his arrival, Sgt.
Huff observed that Danielle was disheveled, upset, and crying, and she had scratch
and strangulation marks on both sides of her neck. Danielle advised him that
Philip had struck and strangled her in their home after having an argument on the
ride home from a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Based upon his investigation, Sgt. Huff
completed a report and arrested Philip for domestic abuse violence with
strangulation.
In her testimony, Danielle detailed her version of the altercation between her
and Philip on March 12, 2023, and she described a few earlier instances. She
testified that, on the day of the incident, Philip struck her in the face while she was
in the bathroom, and there was some scuffling between them that made her fall into
the bathtub. She stated that, afterwards, Philip restrained her on the bedroom floor
by holding down her neck.
After considering the evidence presented, particularly the pictures of
Danielle after the incident, the trial court found that the single incident of
strangulation of Danielle by Philip was proven by a preponderance of the evidence.
Nevertheless, the court did not find a history of perpetuating violence. Philip was
ordered to complete a domestic violence intervention program (Duluth model) and
attend treatment with a separate therapist, Sean Anderson. The court then orally
granted a La. C.C. art. 103(4) divorce, reasoning that it “heard testimony that
2 According to a reading of the transcript, this hearing occurred over the course of two days. However, only the May 5, 2023 transcript was supplemented to the appellate record.
24-CA-369 4 during the marriage the spouse physically abused the spouse seeking the divorce
regardless of whether the other spouse was prosecuted for the act of abuse.”
However, the court immediately retracted the divorce decree because the divorce
trial was not set for May 5, 2023.
Subsequently, at the November 6, 2023 divorce trial, Danielle’s petition for
divorce pursuant to La. C.C. arts. 103(4) and 103(5) was before the court for
consideration.3 Rather than retrying the issue of domestic violence between the
parties, the trial court decided it would take judicial notice of the previous
testimony and finding on the issue from the May 5th proceeding. A court may take
judicial notice of its own proceedings. Olavarrieta v. Robeson, 22-158 (La. App. 5
Cir. 7/6/22), 345 So.3d 1103, 1107. As such, we find the trial court did not err in
taking the May 5, 2023 hearing and its factual determination that Philip strangled
Danielle in a single incident under judicial notice in the divorce trial.
After reviewing the particular facts of this case, we find the trial court did
not err in granting a La. C.C. art. 103(4) divorce in favor Danielle. The evidence
presented to the trial court in support of Danielle’s allegation of Philip’s abuse
showed that the incident occurred by a preponderance of the evidence. Because
the evidence supports the trial court’s determination that the strangulation incident
was a fault ground for the parties’ immediate divorce, we will not disturb the trial
court’s great deference on the issue.
Attorney’s Fees
Philip alleges the trial court abused its discretion in awarding attorney’s fees
pursuant to La. R.S. 9:314 because there was no proper finding of fault and no
hearing held to determine the amount of the fees. He argues that, although La.
3 Despite Philip’s assertion that only his petition for divorce was set to be tried that day, the transcript and the minute entry reflect that Danielle’s reconventional demand for divorce was considered by the trial court. The designated record does not contain any order indicating the November 6, 2023 trial date was set to try only Philip’s petition.
24-CA-369 5 R.S. 9:314 clearly allows the award of attorney’s fees when there has been a
determination of abuse, the clear wording of the statute does not require a
mandatory granting of attorney’s fees. Because he contends the trial court did not
specifically find that the one incident of alleged abuse arose to the level of a
predicate for divorce under La. C.C. art. 103(4), the award of attorney’s fees is
premature.
Danielle avers the trial court properly awarded attorney’s fees and costs to
her, in accordance with La. R.S. 9:314. She maintains the trial court acted well
within its discretion in ordering the perpetrator of domestic abuse, Philip, to pay all
of her attorney’s fees and costs associated with the proceeding, especially after
considering the facts that Philip strangled her and left marks and bruises on her
neck and body. She further maintains there is no requirement that the trial court
determine the amount of attorney’s fees and costs at the time it orders the
perpetrator to pay them.
La. R.S. 9:314 states,
The court may assess against the perpetrator of domestic abuse all court costs, attorney fees, costs of enforcement and modification proceedings, costs of appeal, evaluation fees, and expert witness fees in an action for divorce granted pursuant to Civil Code Article 103(4) or (5), or in an action in which the court determines that a party to a divorce or a child of one of the spouses was the victim of domestic abuse committed by the perpetrator during the marriage, and in incidental actions.
Here, the trial court ordered Philip to pay all of Danielle’s attorney’s fees
and costs associated with the proceeding, pursuant to La. R.S. 9:314. The statute
authorizes the trial court to assess those fees and costs against the perpetrator of
domestic abuse, which in this matter has been determined by the trial court to be
Philip. Accordingly, we find no error in the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees
and costs to Danielle. The amount of Danielle’s fees and costs can be determined
at a hearing held at a later date.
24-CA-369 6 Attorney’s Fees and Costs for Appeal
Danielle requests attorney’s fees and costs associated with this appeal,
pursuant to La. R.S. 9:314.4 As previously cited, La. R.S. 9:314 authorizes the
award of attorney’s fees and costs against the perpetrator of domestic abuse in an
action for divorce granted pursuant to La. C.C. art. 103(4) or (5), which also
includes the costs of an appeal. Because we are affirming the trial court’s granting
of the La. C.C. art. 103(4) divorce in this case, we also assess Philip with the
attorney’s fees and costs of the instant appeal.
DECREE
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the trial court that
granted a La. C.C. art. 103(4) divorce in favor of Danielle DeMarco Triche and
against Philip Joseph Triche, Jr. Additionally, we affirm the award of attorney’s
fees and costs to Danielle, and we assess the attorney’s fees and costs of this
appeal to Philip.
AFFIRMED
4 Danielle also requests attorney’s fees and costs associated with the companion case pending before this Court, 24-CA-370, Triche v. Triche, which is a matter concerning child and interim spousal support. 24-CA-370 is a separate matter before this Court, and fees and costs will be appropriately determined in that matter.
24-CA-369 7 SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL
CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT
SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ FREDERICKA H. WICKER CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK JUDE G. GRAVOIS MARC E. JOHNSON STEPHEN J. WINDHORST LINDA M. WISEMAN JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIRST DEPUTY CLERK SCOTT U. SCHLEGEL TIMOTHY S. MARCEL FIFTH CIRCUIT MELISSA C. LEDET JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053) DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF POST OFFICE BOX 489 GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400
(504) 376-1498 FAX www.fifthcircuit.org
NOTICE OF JUDGMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE OPINION IN THE BELOW-NUMBERED MATTER HAS BEEN DELIVERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 2-16.4 AND 2-16.5 THIS DAY FEBRUARY 26, 2025 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, CLERK OF COURT, COUNSEL OF RECORD AND ALL PARTIES NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:
24-CA-369 E-NOTIFIED 29TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT (CLERK) HONORABLE LAUREN D. ROGERS (DISTRICT JUDGE) MARK A. MARINO (APPELLANT) RENEE L. SWANSON (APPELLEE)
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