'Every time we talk about him we cry' - Jury decides on death penalty in St. John ambush
“I can’t talk about him without crying, ask Danielle (Neilsen's wife), every time we talk about him we cry," Cox said
By Paul Dudley
WWLTV.com
EDGARD, La. — Tears flowed down the faces of friends, family and jurors alike inside the St. John the Baptist Parish courthouse Saturday, as the fate of the man found guilty of killing two deputies nearly eight years ago was decided.
On Friday, 35-year-old Kyle Joekel was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder for the ambush-style shootings of deputies Jeremy Triche and Brandon Neilsen at the Scenic Riverview Trailer Park in LaPlace in August 2012.
Saturday was left for the jury of 12, from Alexandria, La., to hear impact statements following six days of testimony and ultimately decide whether Joekel will receive life in prison or the death penalty.
Family and coworkers of Neilsen and Triche gave deeply emotional statements that brought most in the room to tears.
Captain Anna Cox, who worked with both deputies, held back tears recounting the moment she received the call about the officers being shot. She described the shootout she heard over the police radio as "devastating" and "total chaos"
She described Neilsen as funny and a "goofball" who could immediately turn her day into laughter.
“I can’t talk about him without crying, ask Danielle (Neilsen's wife), every time we talk about him we cry," Cox said.
She described Triche as an ambitious up-and-comer in the force.
Danielle Neilsen Jenkins, Neilsen's widow, also took the stand. She recounted how she first met her husband and how they fell for each other. Pictures of her children, Tyler, Cody, Jared, Gabriel and Lily, were shown.
Pictures of the couple at a Saints game were also shown.
She told jurors that being a police officer "was not just a job but a calling for Brandon,” and that he liked helping people.
Neilsen's father, Steve, also spoke and said he misses and loves his son and that his murder deeply impacted he and his wife, Wendy.
At one point, defense attorneys expressed concerns over the number of victims impact statements (9) that were approved. In response, the prosecution asked the courtroom if they were there for either Neilsen or Triche. Dozens stood up.
The prosecution paused, and said told the room, "from all of those... I had to pick nine."
Joekel's sentencing is expected to be delivered Saturday evening.
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/l...a-a9a2968e994a
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