Louisiana Man Gets Life In Prison For Slayings Of 5

LIVINGSTON, Louisiana – A Louisiana man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to first-degree murder charges in the shooting deaths of five people in 2019, including his parents and girlfriend’s father.

Dakota Theriot avoided the death penalty as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors before prison time. The prison sentences, totaling five for each of the victims, will be served concurrently.

Authorities in Louisiana said Theriot gave investigators much information about how the crimes happened, but a motivation remained a mystery.

According to news reports, Theriot, age 24, pleaded guilty in state court in Livingston Parish before District Judge Brenda B. Ricks to killing his girlfriend, Summer Ernest, age 20, her brother, Tanner Ernest, and her father, Billy Ernest, age 43, at home outside of Walker.

Accused Pleaded Guilty

Prosecutors said Theriot pleaded guilty before District Judge Jason Verdigets in Ascension Parish later Wednesday to two further counts of first-degree murder in the murders of his parents, Keith and Elizabeth Theriot, all 50.

According to authorities, Theriot was living with his girlfriend’s family at the time of the shootings in January 2019. Following the murder of the Ernests, Theriot took Billy Ernest’s truck to Ascension Parish, where he was suspected of shooting his father and stepmother at their home before fleeing to his grandmother’s house in Virginia, where he was apprehended.

Authorities in Louisiana said Theriot gave investigators much information about how the crimes happened, but a motive remained a mystery.

According to District Attorney Scott Perrilloux, Theriot’s extensive clinical records showed a history of mental illness.

Showed Signs Of Mental Illness

“As in any choice made when settling a case, consideration is given to the victims and their families, the community, and the legal and factual posture of the case as its whole. The victims’ relatives accepted the defendant’s plea and sentence. “We appreciate their understanding and cooperation,” stated Perrilloux.

“Seeking the death sentence, while legally justified, would result in protracted and potentially never-ending litigation for the victims’ families,” he said. “We felt this was the best outcome after much review, discussion, and consideration.”

Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, Theriot’s trial and prison were postponed for two years.

SOURCE – (AP)