STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
19-263
STATE OF LOUISIANA
VERSUS
JESSE E. DUCOTE A/K/A JESSE DUCOTE
**********
APPEAL FROM THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF AVOYELLES, NO. 2018-CR-205930-B HONORABLE WILLIAM J. BENNETT, DISTRICT JUDGE
ULYSSES GENE THIBODEAUX CHIEF JUDGE
Court composed of Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, Chief Judge, Phyllis M. Keaty, and Candyce G. Perret, Judges.
AFFIRMED.
George L. Higgins, III P. O. Box 3370 Pineville, LA 71361-3370 Telephone: (318) 473-4250 COUNSEL FOR: Defendant/Appellant – Jesse E. Ducote a/k/a Jesse Ducote
Charles A. Riddle, III District Attorney – Twelfth Judicial District P. O. Box 1200 Marksville, LA 71351 Telephone: (318) 253-6587 COUNSEL FOR: Plaintiff/Appellee – State of Louisiana Anthony F. Salario First Assistant District Attorney 439 North Main Street Marksville, LA 71351 Telephone: (318) 240-7123 COUNSEL FOR: Plaintiff/Appellee – State of Louisiana THIBODEAUX, Chief Judge.
Defendant, Jesse Ducote, was indicted for one count of negligent
homicide of Jake Ducote in violation of La.R.S. 14:32. On the day set for trial, he
entered a plea of guilty, and the trial court ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation
Report (PSI). Following the sentencing hearing, Jesse 1 was sentenced to the
maximum of five years imprisonment. He filed a motion to reconsider sentence
alleging that the sentence was excessive. A resentencing hearing was conducted,
and the five-year sentence was affirmed.
On appeal, Jesse asserts that the maximum sentence is excessive and
should be reduced. For the following reasons, this court affirms the five-year
sentence.
I.
ISSUES
We must decide whether the trial court abused its discretion in
sentencing Jesse Ducote to the maximum sentence of five years in the Louisiana
Department of Corrections for the crime of negligent homicide.
II.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On November 21, 2017, Jesse spent the day with his good friend Jake.
The two young men ran various errands together, which included shooting an AR-
15 rifle recently purchased by Jesse at a gun show. Some time that evening, Jesse
arrived at the home Jake shared with his girlfriend Mallory Lambert. While Jake
1 For the sake of clarity, Defendant, Jesse Ducote, will hereafter be referred to as Jesse, and the victim, Jake Ducote, will be referred to as Jake. was sitting in the living room, Jesse went outside to his truck and took out the gun
which he and Jake had shot earlier that day. The gun fired, and a bullet went
through the window, hitting and killing Jake. Ms. Lambert was standing in the
kitchen when she heard the gunshot and Jesse screaming to call 911. Initially,
Jesse stated that the gun fell out of his truck and accidentally discharged. However,
Jesse eventually admitted that he and Jake were “goofing off” through the window,
and believing that the gun was unloaded, Jesse pointed the gun at Jake and pulled
the trigger.
The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation of
the incident, and arrested Jesse for the negligent homicide of Jake. A grand jury
returned a true bill of indictment charging Jesse with one count of negligent
homicide, after which he entered a plea of not guilty. On the day trial was set to
begin, Jesse withdrew his plea and entered a plea of guilty to the offense of
negligent homicide. The court ordered a PSI and remanded Jesse for sentencing.
At the sentencing hearing, the trial court reviewed the PSI, letters received on
behalf of Jesse, letters from Jake’s family, and the police report. The trial court
sentenced Jesse to serve five years in the custody of the Louisiana Department of
Corrections with credit for time served since November 21, 2017. Jesse filed a
motion to reconsider the sentence. The trial court held a hearing on the matter and
affirmed the five-year sentence. Jesse now appeals the sentence as excessive.
2 III.
LAW AND DISCUSSION
ERRORS PATENT
In accordance with La.Code Crim.P. art. 920, all appeals are reviewed
for errors patent on the face of the record. After reviewing the record, this court
finds no errors patent.
EXCESSIVE SENTENCE CLAIM
In his sole assignment of error, Jesse contends that his five-year
sentence is excessive and should be reduced. Jesse pled guilty to one count of
negligent homicide. The possible penalty for negligent homicide is imprisonment
with or without hard labor for not more than five years, and/or a fine of not more
than $5,000.00. La.R.S. 14:32(C). Thus, Jesse received the maximum sentence
prescribed by La.R.S. 14:32.
This court has previously discussed the proper analysis for
excessiveness claims and stated:
[Louisiana Constitution Article] I, § 20 guarantees that, “[n]o law shall subject any person to cruel or unusual punishment.” To constitute an excessive sentence, the reviewing court must find the penalty so grossly disproportionate to the severity of the crime as to shock our sense of justice or that the sentence makes no measurable contribution to acceptable penal goals and is, therefore, nothing more than a needless imposition of pain and suffering. State v. Campbell, 404 So.2d 1205 (La.1981). The trial court has wide discretion in the imposition of [a] sentence within the statutory limits and such sentence shall not be set aside as excessive absent a manifest abuse of discretion. State v. Etienne, 99-192 (La.App. 3 Cir. 10/13/99); 746 So.2d 124, writ denied, 00-0165 (La. 6/30/00); 765 So.2d 1067. The relevant question is whether the trial court abused its broad sentencing discretion, not whether another sentence might have been more appropriate. State v. Cook, 95-
3 2784 (La. 5/31/96); 674 So.2d 957, cert. denied, 519 U.S. 1043, 117 S.Ct. 615, 136 L.Ed.2d 539 (1996). State v. Barling, 00-1241, 01-1591, p. 12 (La.App. 3 Cir. 1/31/01), 779 So.2d
1035, 1042-43, writ denied, 01-838 (La. 2/1/02), 808 So.2d 331.
Additionally, “the appellate court should consider the nature of the
crime, the nature and background of the offender, and the sentences imposed for
similar crimes.” State v. Soileau, 13-770, 13-771, p. 5 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/12/14),
153 So.3d 1002, 1005, writ denied, 14-452 (La. 9/26/14), 149 So.3d 261 (citing
State v. Lisotta, 98-648 (La.App. 5 Cir. 12/16/98), 726 So.2d 57, writ denied, 99-
433 (La. 6/25/99), 745 So.2d 1183).
While a comparison of sentences imposed for similar crimes may provide some insight, “it is well settled that sentences must be individualized to the particular offender and to the particular offense committed.” State v. Batiste, 594 So.2d 1 [, 3](La.App. 1 Cir. 1991). Additionally, it is within the purview of the trial court to particularize the sentence because the trial judge “remains in the best position to assess the aggravating and mitigating circumstances presented by each case.” State v. Cook, 95-2784 [, p. 2] (La. 5/31/96); 674 So.2d 957, 958.
State v. Smith, 02-719, p. 4 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/12/03), 846 So.2d 786, 789, writ
denied, 03-562 (La. 5/30/03), 845 So.2d 1061.
The trial court gave extensive reasons for the sentence it imposed, and
reviewed the following in preparation for its sentencing:
1) letters from family and friends in support of Jesse,
2) a letter from Jesse,
3) letters from family and friends of Jake,
4) the file of the Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Office,
5) the PSI,
4 6) statutory law,
7) negligent homicide cases reviewed by our courts, and
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STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
19-263
STATE OF LOUISIANA
VERSUS
JESSE E. DUCOTE A/K/A JESSE DUCOTE
**********
APPEAL FROM THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF AVOYELLES, NO. 2018-CR-205930-B HONORABLE WILLIAM J. BENNETT, DISTRICT JUDGE
ULYSSES GENE THIBODEAUX CHIEF JUDGE
Court composed of Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, Chief Judge, Phyllis M. Keaty, and Candyce G. Perret, Judges.
AFFIRMED.
George L. Higgins, III P. O. Box 3370 Pineville, LA 71361-3370 Telephone: (318) 473-4250 COUNSEL FOR: Defendant/Appellant – Jesse E. Ducote a/k/a Jesse Ducote
Charles A. Riddle, III District Attorney – Twelfth Judicial District P. O. Box 1200 Marksville, LA 71351 Telephone: (318) 253-6587 COUNSEL FOR: Plaintiff/Appellee – State of Louisiana Anthony F. Salario First Assistant District Attorney 439 North Main Street Marksville, LA 71351 Telephone: (318) 240-7123 COUNSEL FOR: Plaintiff/Appellee – State of Louisiana THIBODEAUX, Chief Judge.
Defendant, Jesse Ducote, was indicted for one count of negligent
homicide of Jake Ducote in violation of La.R.S. 14:32. On the day set for trial, he
entered a plea of guilty, and the trial court ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation
Report (PSI). Following the sentencing hearing, Jesse 1 was sentenced to the
maximum of five years imprisonment. He filed a motion to reconsider sentence
alleging that the sentence was excessive. A resentencing hearing was conducted,
and the five-year sentence was affirmed.
On appeal, Jesse asserts that the maximum sentence is excessive and
should be reduced. For the following reasons, this court affirms the five-year
sentence.
I.
ISSUES
We must decide whether the trial court abused its discretion in
sentencing Jesse Ducote to the maximum sentence of five years in the Louisiana
Department of Corrections for the crime of negligent homicide.
II.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On November 21, 2017, Jesse spent the day with his good friend Jake.
The two young men ran various errands together, which included shooting an AR-
15 rifle recently purchased by Jesse at a gun show. Some time that evening, Jesse
arrived at the home Jake shared with his girlfriend Mallory Lambert. While Jake
1 For the sake of clarity, Defendant, Jesse Ducote, will hereafter be referred to as Jesse, and the victim, Jake Ducote, will be referred to as Jake. was sitting in the living room, Jesse went outside to his truck and took out the gun
which he and Jake had shot earlier that day. The gun fired, and a bullet went
through the window, hitting and killing Jake. Ms. Lambert was standing in the
kitchen when she heard the gunshot and Jesse screaming to call 911. Initially,
Jesse stated that the gun fell out of his truck and accidentally discharged. However,
Jesse eventually admitted that he and Jake were “goofing off” through the window,
and believing that the gun was unloaded, Jesse pointed the gun at Jake and pulled
the trigger.
The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation of
the incident, and arrested Jesse for the negligent homicide of Jake. A grand jury
returned a true bill of indictment charging Jesse with one count of negligent
homicide, after which he entered a plea of not guilty. On the day trial was set to
begin, Jesse withdrew his plea and entered a plea of guilty to the offense of
negligent homicide. The court ordered a PSI and remanded Jesse for sentencing.
At the sentencing hearing, the trial court reviewed the PSI, letters received on
behalf of Jesse, letters from Jake’s family, and the police report. The trial court
sentenced Jesse to serve five years in the custody of the Louisiana Department of
Corrections with credit for time served since November 21, 2017. Jesse filed a
motion to reconsider the sentence. The trial court held a hearing on the matter and
affirmed the five-year sentence. Jesse now appeals the sentence as excessive.
2 III.
LAW AND DISCUSSION
ERRORS PATENT
In accordance with La.Code Crim.P. art. 920, all appeals are reviewed
for errors patent on the face of the record. After reviewing the record, this court
finds no errors patent.
EXCESSIVE SENTENCE CLAIM
In his sole assignment of error, Jesse contends that his five-year
sentence is excessive and should be reduced. Jesse pled guilty to one count of
negligent homicide. The possible penalty for negligent homicide is imprisonment
with or without hard labor for not more than five years, and/or a fine of not more
than $5,000.00. La.R.S. 14:32(C). Thus, Jesse received the maximum sentence
prescribed by La.R.S. 14:32.
This court has previously discussed the proper analysis for
excessiveness claims and stated:
[Louisiana Constitution Article] I, § 20 guarantees that, “[n]o law shall subject any person to cruel or unusual punishment.” To constitute an excessive sentence, the reviewing court must find the penalty so grossly disproportionate to the severity of the crime as to shock our sense of justice or that the sentence makes no measurable contribution to acceptable penal goals and is, therefore, nothing more than a needless imposition of pain and suffering. State v. Campbell, 404 So.2d 1205 (La.1981). The trial court has wide discretion in the imposition of [a] sentence within the statutory limits and such sentence shall not be set aside as excessive absent a manifest abuse of discretion. State v. Etienne, 99-192 (La.App. 3 Cir. 10/13/99); 746 So.2d 124, writ denied, 00-0165 (La. 6/30/00); 765 So.2d 1067. The relevant question is whether the trial court abused its broad sentencing discretion, not whether another sentence might have been more appropriate. State v. Cook, 95-
3 2784 (La. 5/31/96); 674 So.2d 957, cert. denied, 519 U.S. 1043, 117 S.Ct. 615, 136 L.Ed.2d 539 (1996). State v. Barling, 00-1241, 01-1591, p. 12 (La.App. 3 Cir. 1/31/01), 779 So.2d
1035, 1042-43, writ denied, 01-838 (La. 2/1/02), 808 So.2d 331.
Additionally, “the appellate court should consider the nature of the
crime, the nature and background of the offender, and the sentences imposed for
similar crimes.” State v. Soileau, 13-770, 13-771, p. 5 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/12/14),
153 So.3d 1002, 1005, writ denied, 14-452 (La. 9/26/14), 149 So.3d 261 (citing
State v. Lisotta, 98-648 (La.App. 5 Cir. 12/16/98), 726 So.2d 57, writ denied, 99-
433 (La. 6/25/99), 745 So.2d 1183).
While a comparison of sentences imposed for similar crimes may provide some insight, “it is well settled that sentences must be individualized to the particular offender and to the particular offense committed.” State v. Batiste, 594 So.2d 1 [, 3](La.App. 1 Cir. 1991). Additionally, it is within the purview of the trial court to particularize the sentence because the trial judge “remains in the best position to assess the aggravating and mitigating circumstances presented by each case.” State v. Cook, 95-2784 [, p. 2] (La. 5/31/96); 674 So.2d 957, 958.
State v. Smith, 02-719, p. 4 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/12/03), 846 So.2d 786, 789, writ
denied, 03-562 (La. 5/30/03), 845 So.2d 1061.
The trial court gave extensive reasons for the sentence it imposed, and
reviewed the following in preparation for its sentencing:
1) letters from family and friends in support of Jesse,
2) a letter from Jesse,
3) letters from family and friends of Jake,
4) the file of the Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Office,
5) the PSI,
4 6) statutory law,
7) negligent homicide cases reviewed by our courts, and
8) recommendations on sentencing in the PSI.
The trial court considered each mitigating and aggravating factor set
out in La.Code Crim.P. art 894.1 with respect to Jesse. The judge noted that
Jesse’s conduct manifested deliberate cruelty to Jake, involved violence and a
dangerous weapon, and resulted in the permanent loss of Jake’s life. Additionally,
Jesse knowingly created a risk of death or great bodily harm to more than one
person by pointing the rifle at Jake while Ms. Lambert was nearby. In contrast,
none of the mitigating factors specifically applied to Jesse.
After considering all the factors, the trial court determined there was
“no reason to justify this type of behavior, especially with such a dangerous
weapon. This gross deviation of the standard of care resulted in the loss of a life to
a young man who had no reason to die.” Therefore, the trial court found a five-
year sentence was appropriate.
Viewing the reasons for sentencing in light of the three factors listed
in Lisotta and Soileau, we cannot say the trial court abused its broad sentencing
discretion. The nature of the offense is clearly serious, as it is a form of homicide.
The trial court recognized that maximum sentences are imposed only in the most
serious of cases, and any such sentence should not shock the sense of justice. The
trial court opined that,
the pointing of an AR-15 at an individual for any purpose is a gross deviation of the standard of care of a reasonable person. This gross deviation becomes magnified by aiming the gun towards someone, placing the finger on the trigger and pulling the trigger, even if under the belief that the gun was unloaded.
5 Furthermore, the trial court expressly stated that this case was the most serious
type of negligent homicide as it involved pointing a high-powered rifle at another
person. Therefore, we find the circumstances of this case justified imposing the
maximum sentence.
As to the nature of the offender, the trial court noted that Jesse had
prior misdemeanor charges, although he did not have any convictions. One set of
charges resulted in pre-trial intervention, and another resulted in a deferred
sentence. He was arrested while on pre-trial intervention. Additionally, Jesse was
arrested on a charge of flight from an officer one month before his plea in this case,
but no formal charge was filed.
Regarding the sentencing in similar cases, the trial court also made a
detailed review. On appeal, Jesse notes two accidental shooting cases cited by the
trial court, State v. Asberry, 451 So.2d 1353 (La.App. 1 Cir. 1984) and State v.
McFerson, 583 So.2d 516 (La.App. 3 Cir.), writ denied, 588 So.2d 113 (La.1991).
The defendant in each of these cases received three-year sentences, and Jesse infers
that he should receive a three-year sentence as well. We find that Asberry is
analogous to the present case. In that case, the defendant shot a child with a
weapon he thought was unloaded. Though Jesse similarly does not have any
criminal convictions, he does have misdemeanor arrests for which leniency was
shown.
Likewise, McFerson is also distinguishable and supports a sentence
longer than three years in the present case. The opinion in McFerson suggests the
defendant did not pull the trigger of his weapon; the discharge appeared to have
been caused by impact in a crowded bar. Here, Jesse admitted to pulling the
6 trigger. The deliberate and conscious action of pulling the trigger substantiates
imposing the maximum sentence.
The trial court also cited State v. Rachal, 97-642 (La.App. 3 Cir.
10/29/97), 703 So.2d 678, writ denied, 97-2978 (La. 3/27/98), 716 So.2d 884. In
that case, the trial court focused on the fact that the defendant’s crime resulted in
the taking of a human life and the instrumentality of death was a gun. This court
upheld the five-year sentence, observing that parole would be available to the
defendant, and that benefit could be considered in determining whether the
sentence was excessive. In the present case, the court specifically informed Jesse
that diminution of sentence is available. Further, parole appears to be available
pursuant to La.R.S. 14:32(C)(1). After careful review, we find that the three
Lisotta factors support the five-year sentence in this case.
The trial court cited the settled maxim that maximum sentences are
reserved for the worst offenses, and it found that such a situation existed in this
case. We find that this characterization is reasonable. The offense at issue is the
worst type of negligent homicide. Jesse Ducote violated several steps of firearm
safety during the course of conduct that led to the killing of his friend Jake. Jesse
failed to ensure that the rifle was unloaded. He claimed to have cleared the
weapon but acknowledged that he failed to ensure that the safety was engaged.
Moreover, he took the two deadliest steps of pointing the rifle at his friend and
pulling the trigger. At the hearing on the motion to reconsider sentence, Jesse
testified and described his actions with the rifle as “goofing off with it.” The
present case is a classic, albeit tragic, illustration that firearms are dangerous
instruments and must not be “goofed with.” While the trial court noted that Jesse
7 is a “good young man,” his clear disregard for firearm safety shows him to be the
worst kind of offender in the context of negligent homicide.
Under these circumstances, we find that the five-year sentence is not
so grossly disproportionate to the severity of the crime as to shock our sense of
justice, nor is it a needless imposition of pain and suffering. Therefore, Jesse was
properly the subject of a maximum sentence.
V.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we find the five-year maximum sentence
for negligent homicide is not excessive. Accordingly, this court affirms Jesse
Ducote’s sentence.