The jury deliberated just 27 minutes before finding Darrell Algere, 33, guilty of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Algere had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
|
Advertisement
|
“And I believe there was overwhelming evidence indicating he knew perfectly well what he was doing when he shot the victim.”
Algere was accused of shooting Lasheka Brooks, 30, of Jeanerette, at least four times at her sister’s home on Monnot Road on Jan. 16, 2007.
Brooks survived the shooting and was among several witnesses to testify against Algere on Tuesday.
Court records show Brooks had obtained a restraining order against Algere just hours before she was shot. Police were attempting to serve him with the order when he showed up at Brooks’ sister’s home.
Brooks testified Algere coaxed her out of the home to retrieve some of his belongings from the trunk of her car. When she unlocked the trunk, he opened fire.
Brooks said Algere chased her inside and fired several more rounds once inside the residence. Brooks suffered gunshot wounds to her neck, chest, stomach and arm during the ordeal.
Algere was later arrested when he checked himself into Franklin Foundation Hospital.
Defense attorney Kay Clark said Algere had previously been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
“Mr. Algere was not on his medication at the time he shot Mrs. Brooks,” Clark said. “He did not know right from wrong when he pulled the trigger.”
Odinet said Algere had never complained of a mental illness during his relationship with Brooks. Two experts testified he was sane at the time of the offense.
“He knew right from wrong, medication or no medication,” Odinet said. “He tried to kill that lady.”
Algere is set for sentencing on June 23. He faces anywhere from 10 to 50 years in prison.
Comments