Monday, May 20 2013 6:55 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:55:55 GMT
The Sunrise Facebook friend of the day for Monday, May 20 is Greg Lyon from Welsh. If you'd like the chance to be our next Facebook friend of the day, just like the Sunrise Facebook page and leave usMore >>
The Sunrise Facebook friend of the day for Monday, May 20 is Greg Lyon from Welsh.More >>
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:58 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:58:26 GMT
Source: Louisiana State Police
Authorities are urging motorists to avoid I-10 West and East bound at mile marker 25 due to a tanker truck on fire. Fire crews are still working to extinguish flames on an 18-wheel oil tanker. LouisianaMore >>
Louisiana State Police is investigating an oil tanker tractor fire on Interstate 10 that caused major traffic delays Sunday afternoon. More >>
Friday, May 17 2013 9:05 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:05:04 GMT
The Southwest Louisiana Tea Party movement began picking up steam in 2009 as members from throughout the five parish area began gathering for rallies and becoming more visible and involved in local governmentMore >>
The Southwest Louisiana Tea Party movement began picking up steam in 2009 as members from throughout the five-parish area began gathering for rallies and becoming more visible and involved in local government and the political scene.More >>
Friday, May 17 2013 8:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:55:58 GMT
An arrest has been made in the 1962 death of Mary Horton Vail. Vail was found dead in the Calcasieu River in October 1962, her husband, Felix Vail, claimed she was the victim of a boating accident. TheMore >>
Mary Horton Vail was found dead in the Calcasieu River in October 1962. Her husband, Felix Vail, claimed she was the victim of a boating accident.More >>
Friday, May 17 2013 6:17 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:17:04 GMT
Friday marks the anniversary of the first woman reported missing in the Jeff Davis Eight case. On May 17, 2005, 28-year-old Loretta Chaisson Lewis went missing. Three days later, her body was found floatingMore >>
Friday marks the anniversary of the first woman reported missing in the Jeff Davis Eight case.More >>
Local News, Weather, Traffic, Sports, Stocks, Movies on your Cell PhoneMore >>
Get local news, weather, sports, and video on your mobile device.More >>
Jasmine Stanley, a woman who has been behind bars for alleged cruelty to her children, gets a new trial and Judge David Ritchie has vacated Stanley's sentence.
Stanley was expected to post bond and be released from jail later this afternoon. The judge's reason for giving Stanley a new trial was, in part, due to ineffective assistance of counsel.
She was represented by a public defender who says his huge caseload and under funding resulted in ineffective representation of Stanley.
Defense attorneys hired by Stanley say they have evidence they believe proves she is innocent. They predict charges against her will be dropped.
No new trial date has been sent.
At the end of this story, read the complete statement issued by Stanley's defense attorney.
"Yes, we can confirm that Jasmine Stanley's sentence has been vacated and she has been granted a new trial. A new trial date has not been set because the DA's office is re-investigating evidence pointed out by the defense. We are hopeful that the charges against her will be dismissed in the near future. Jasmine has maintained her innocence from the time these charges were originally brought, she has unjustly and unconstitutionally served a four (4) year prison sentence and we are so grateful the Court has taken the corrective action taken today. In times like this it is imperative that those charged with criminal offenses have someone to adequately protect their rights – especially when those presumed innocent are in fact innocent! The Court ruled today that she was not given proper representation and the injustice that followed this faulty representation was catastrophic. On behalf of Jasmine and her family, we would also like to thank everyone who continued to pray for her during this difficult time."