Louviere undergoes physical exam as process continues

Chad Roy Louviere, the former deputy seeking a new trial in connection with his conviction for a murder committed during a 1997 hostage standoff at a Houma bank, was allowed to undergo an MRI-related procedure requested by his attorneys last month.

Details on the procedure were not available, and the court documents relating to the request by attorneys seeking to have his death sentence issued after he pleaded guilty to the murder of bank teller Pamela Duplantis are under seal.

But authorities confirmed that an order authorizing the procedure signed by District Judge Johnny Walker was honored by officials at the State Penitentiary at Angola, where Louviere is being held on death row.

Earlier filings of court papers suggest that the procedure could be related to the claim more than 13 years ago that there was evidence Louviere had a brain lesion following an observation by an eye doctor, which could have affected his behavior and judgment.

The matter was never fully explored.

Attorneys confirmed that a psychiatrist involved with his current legal bid had requested a brain scan recently as part of the examination process.

Walker’s courtroom has been the site of hearings through the entirety of this year. The judge is tasked with determining whether a new trial is required because of allegations that lawyers who initially represented Louviere did not challenge prosecution claims.

Louviere, court papers now allege, did not intend to shoot Duplantis, and he allegedly told attorneys that but they ignored his statements.

Prosecutors contend that the decision by trial lawyers to have Louviere plead guilty to capital murder – leading to a jury’s decision have him executed – was a matter of strategy rather than legal incompetence.

Bruce Dodd, an assistant warden at Angola, confirmed that questions arose as to how Louviere should be transported to a medical facility for the procedure.

Due to the gravity of his charge and his taking of hostages at the Lafayette Parish jail while awaiting trial, he is considered a high escape risk.

Metal shackles would have to have been removed for the procedure to take place. But Dodd said the use of plastic cuffs would easily solve the problem.

“We do it all the time,” Dodd said.

Hearings in Houma are expected to resume June 10th. At that time attorney David Stone, whom court papers allege gave ineffective assistance to Louviere, is expected to testify.