Raceland man convicted of home invasion

A Raceland man accused of breaking into his estranged wife’s home and threatening her with a knife was convicted of home invasion Thursday following a two-day trial.

Sidney Poindexter was found guilty of entering the residence on June 27, 2009, two days after he had been ordered by District Judge Jerome Barbera to vacate the St. Louis Street home.

“We have a victim who has been through quite an ordeal, so we are happy with the verdict of guilty as charged,” said Diana Sanders, the domestic violence prosecutor for the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office. “I hope her bravery in seeing this matter through to a conviction serves as an example to other women who may be afraid to come forward. The system does work.”

Poindexter confronted his estranged wife as she returned from the store June 27, Sanders told jurors. Despite the woman’s attempts to stop him, Poindexter forced his way into the home. When his brother-in-law, who was also present, dialed 911, Poindexter grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened his wife to cancel the 911 call.

Lafourche Deputy Blair Portier Jr. testified that Poindexter chased his wife on St. Louis Street, all the while threatening to stab her with the knife. Portier used his Taser to stop Poindexter.

“I think we are very fortunate that no one was seriously injured or killed that evening, which includes the defendant himself,” said Assistant District Attorney Joe Soignet, who also prosecuted the case. “Mrs. Poindexter’s brother stood by his sister and protected her while she was being threatened, and I’m sure that’s what prevented this from becoming a tragic situation. And Mr. Poindexter can thank Deputy Portier’s clear thinking for being alive today.”

Poindexter faces up 25 years in prison. As a third-time felony offender, he is facing sentencing enhancements under Louisiana’s habitual offender law, the District Attorney’s Office reported.

Sentencing is set for June 22.

“We will always take a hard stance against domestic violence in this parish, and we hope that his conviction reinforces that message,” District Attorney Cam Morvant said. “Our next focus is to see that Mr. Poindexter stays away for a long time.”