Serial killer pleads guilty to Lafourche murder

Ronald Dominique, the Bayou Blue native sentenced to life in prison in September for eight murders in Terrebonne Parish, pleaded guilty last week in Thibodaux to one murder in Lafourche Parish.

The charge was second-degree murder, which carries a term of life imprisonment. By pleading guilty, Dominique, 44, waived his right to a trial in Lafourche Parish.

At the sentencing hearing, state District Court Judge Bruce Simpson told Dominique that his previous convictions would have no bearing on his sentencing for the murder committed in Lafourche, asserting that one conviction does not take the place of another.

The Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office and Chris Boudreaux,

Dominique’s attorney, signed an open files agreement on Nov. 6, allowing both counsels to share information pertaining to the case.

On Oct. 14, 2006, Dominique picked up Thibodaux resident Christopher Sutterfield, 27, from the Hebert Motel and took him to a storage facility where they engaged in sexual acts.

According to authorities, Dominique then hit Sutterfield on the head and strangled him. He dumped the body in Iberville Parish where it was later found and identified.

After Assistant Lafourche Parish District Attorney Stephen Caillouet read the information about the murder, Simpson asked Dominique whether the state would come to the same conclusion if the case were to go to trial. Dominique answered yes.

Sutterfield’s family, who were present in the courtroom, waived their right to make a victim impact statement.

Dominique pleaded guilty to eight murders in Terrebonne Parish in September.