Two Jefferson Parish Sheriff deputies face manslaughter charges after investigators say lethal force was not justified in the February 16th shooting of Daniel Vallee in Marrero. Sheriff Joe Lopinto said deputies Isaac Hughes and Johnathon Louis cooperated with the investigation and their testimony matched video surveillance.
“Unfortunately, the use of force in this situation was not justified as much as I would love to be able to defend them, I don’t believe there was any criminal intent at this point time,” said Lopinto.
Officers originally answered a noise complaint at a known crack house on Wilson Street. Vallee was in a car that had switched plates, in front of the home and refused to cooperate. Lopinto said Valle was repeatedly asked to exit the vehicle, he started the car, after raising both hands and placing them on the steering wheel, he hit the horn which startled officers, and shots were fired.
“And unfortunately, this gentleman Danial Valle put them in a huge, highly stressful situation where bad things can happen and that’s what happened in this case,” said Lopinto.
Vallee, who was not armed, was shot multiple times and toxicology reports indicated several street drugs. Lopinto said the video footage from the shooting will not be released and the two deputies turned themselves in Monday night and were booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Facility.
“They’ll obviously have to defend the charge and truthfully as their dense, there is a defense here,” said Lopinto.
Lopinto said that force was justified in the incident but not lethal force.
Comments