• Four Year Old Boy Accidentally Shot And Killed
• News Channel 5 at 6
• Alexandria Police Reports
• Washington Mardi Gras Royalty From Louisiana
• Local News for December 4
• Many Factors Make Louisiana The Least Healthy State
• Public Takes Advantage of Free Small Business Classes
• 2008 Christmas Cheer Food Drive
• Recycle or Update Outdated Televisions
• Rapides Regional sends ‘Seasons Greetings’
• Alexander Encourages Public to Send “Holiday Mail for Heroes”
• Suspended Saints
• National News for December 4
• Request For Tax Incentives To Help The Paper Industry
• News Channel 5’s Midday
• State News for December 4

Plauche Verdict-Guilty
07/24/08 - 12:45 PM
 RSS Feed

The verdict is back - Simmesport pharmacist Joseph Plauche is guilty of killing his wife. 
Joseph Plauche faced a charge of second degree murder but the jury came back with a manslaughter conviction for the shooting of his wife Margaret may 31, 2007.  She died two days later.  The verdict was unanimous after 30 minutes of deliberation.  There were tears in the courtroom when the verdict was read. 

Plauche’s wife had been having an affair with Marksville lawyer Jay Pucheu who took the stand Tuesday and said Plauche called him the night of the shooting saying, “I killed your old lady I killed Margaret.” Plauche shot himself 3 times in the head that night.  He also called his aunt and said “I shot Margaret I shot myself come and get the kids.” Plauche’s aunt said Margaret had told Joe she was in love with Jay the day before the shooting. 

After the shooting Margaret was stabilized in the ambulance and told two witnesses “My husband Joe shot me.”

In closing arguments for the state Avoyelles parish assistant district attorney Mike Kelly used a picture of Margaret on a monitor demonstrating their theory of how she was shot.  Kelly used his left hand to grip her neck while pointing the gun under her chin. 

The defense argued Margaret was accidentally shot trying to prevent Plauche from killing himself.  defense attorney mike small met with the Plauche family after the verdict. 

Family members from both sides declined to comment. 

Avoyelles parish district attorney Charles Riddle said the both sides of the family remain close.  Asked if Margaret’s family was happy with the verdict riddle said that he was satisfied that the justice system in our country worked and that the families will concentrate on raising their grandchildren.

After the verdict Plauche was handcuffed and taken from the courthouse.  He’ll sit in jail until sentencing on august 20.  He faces up to 40 years in prison.

This entry has been viewed 2523 times.