Alleged triple murderer headed back to court

A Houma man accused of participating in one of the deadliest shootings in Lafourche Parish history will be arraigned Sept. 4.

Darrel Charles, 18, is scheduled to plead to three counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder before District Judge John LeBlanc.

Charles first arraignment before District Judge Walt Lanier was postponed in mid-June after prosecutors requested more time. At his second count date, July 9, Assistant District Attorney Lisa Pinho asked for a continuation, which District Judge Bruce Simpson granted.

Lafourche authorities reported that Charles confessed to the shooting deaths of Terry Hester, 22, Brad Bourda, 27, and Chauncy Adams, 30, in Raceland early May 12.

Charles reportedly told detectives that he killed the three men because one of the men had allegedly sold him some “bad” drugs in the past. Authorities said Charles said he and the men had been arguing prior to the shooting.

The bodies of Hester, Bourda and Adams were found inside a Ford Mustang, apparently shot with an AK-47 from close range, authorities said.

Charles also admitted he was driving his mother’s van when the shootings occurred.

The Houma reportedly told authorities two other men were involved in the murders, however, no additional arrests have been made in the case.

According to the Lafourche Parish Clerk of Courts office, no additional information has been filed in the case beyond what was originally reported by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.