Gardner found guilty in shooting

A Galliano man faces up to forty years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter in the death of a fifteen-year-old after a two-day bench trial.

Neely Gardner, who waived his right to a jury trial, was found guilty of killing Braxton Bourda in June of last year in Larose. Gardner claimed the shooting was accidental.

District Attorney Camille A. Morvant, II, said, “While the loss of this young man’s life can never be undone, the conviction does bring his killer to justice.” The prosecutor, District Attorney Annette Fontana, said the prosecution was satisfied with the verdict. “We felt all along the evidence in this case supported the charge of manslaughter, rather than negligent homicide.”

Witnesses told the judge Gardner was known to carry a gun and point it at friends. He also was in possession of marijuana, according to the District Attorney’s office.

Gardner’s sentencing is scheduled for August 28 at 1:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Hon. Walter I. Lanier, III, the same judge who convicted him.