Thursday, January 12, 2017
On motion of Robert Vines, Assistant District Attorney with no objection by the defense, the Court ordered the Trial continued re-fixed for May 1, 2017 at 9:00 A.M. The defendant was present in open Court with the attorney, J. Kevin Stockstill and given personal notice of this fixing along with all ancillary dates associated with this trial cycle.
Friday, May 05, 2017
On motion of Anthony J, Saleme, Jr., Assistant District Attorney, the Court ordered the trial continued re-fixed for July 24, 2017 at 9:00 A.M., with all the corresponding dates for the Petit Jury Term including the motion days. The defendant was present in open Court with the attorney, J. Kevin Stockstill and given personal notice of these fixings.
Friday, July 28, 2017
On motion of Brady Holtzelaw, Assistant District Attorney, the Court ordered the trial continued re-fixed for October 10, 2017 at 9:00 A.M., with all the corresponding dates for the Petit Jury Term. The defendant was present in open Court with the attorney, J. Kevin Stockstil. Mr. Stockstill objected to the continuance. Mr. Stockstill filed a motion to Quash and the matter was scheduled for August 11, 2017 at 9:00 A.M. The defendant was given personal notice of these fixings.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
On motion of Anthony J. Saleme, Jr., Assistant District Attorney, the Court ordered the Trial continued and re-fixed for January 16, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. The defendant was present in open Court and given personal notice of this fixing along with all ancillary dates associated with this trial cycle. The defendant objected to the continuance in this case.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
On motion of Robert C Vines, Assistant District Attorney, the defendant was present in open court with attorney J Kevin Stockstill and called for trial. The Court, at the request of the defense, voluntarily recused himself for oral reasons given and ordered the matter randomly re-allotted. The matter was re-allotted to Section 6 and the trial was ordered continued and re-fixed for May 14, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. with all the corresponding dates for the Petit Jury Team. The defendant and counsel was given personal notice of these fixings.
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
On the Court’s motion of, this case was called for a Pre-Trial Conference. The defendant was present with his attorney, J. Kevin Stockstill. On motion of Mr. Stockstill, the Court ordered the trial in this matter continued and re-fixed for August 27, 2018 at 10:00A.M., together with all the corresponding dates for the Petit Jury Term. The defendant was given personal notice of these fixings.
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
This case was called for a Pre-Trial Conference. The defendant was present with his attorney, Kevin Stockstill. On motion of Mr. Stockstill, the Court ordered the trial in this matter continued and re-fixed for November 26, 2018 at 10:00 A.M., together with all the corresponding dates for the Petit Jury Term. The defendant was given personal notice of these fixings.
Monday, November 26, 2018
On motion of Erica J. Rose, Assistant District Attorney, this case was called for trial. The defendant was present in open Court. The Court was informed that the defendant’s attorney, J. Kevin Stockstill had filed a Motion to Continue and the Court ordered the trial continued and re-fixed for February 11, 2019 at 9:00 A.M., together with the corresponding Pre-Trial date for the Petit Jury Term. The defendant was given personal notice of these fixings.
Monday, February 11, 2019
On motion of Brady Holtzelaw, Assistant District Attorney, this case was called for trial. The defendant was present in open Court with his attorney, J. Kevin Stockstill. Mr. Holtzelaw informed the Court that Robert Vines is the prosecutor in this matter. The Court stated that the matter is not certifed for trial this week and ordered the trial continued re-fixed for May 13, 2019 at 9:00 A.M., together with the corresponding Pre-Trial Conferences for the Petit Jury Term. The defendant was given personal notice of these fixings.
May 8, 2019
This matter appeared on this day before the hearing a Motion to Quash Indictment and Motion for Speedy Trial. Present Robert Vines, Assistant District Attorney, representing the State; Kevin Stockstill retained, counsel for the defendant, and O’Neil Darden, the defendant.
The Court, after hearing the argument of counsel, for oral reasons assigned, denied the Motion to Quash Indictment. Mr. Stockstill noted his objection for the record.. The defendant, Defense Counsel and the State were served with a notice of Court date of August 19, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. which included a Pre-Trial Date of Wednesday August 7, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. in to be heard in St. Mary Parish.
Wednesday, August 07, 2019
On motion of Anthony J. Saleme, Jr., Assistant District Attorney, this case was called for a Pre-Trial Conference. Mr. Saleme informed the Court he is standing in for Robert C. Vines, Assistant District Attorney prosecuting this matter. The defendant was present in Court with his attorney, J. Kevin Stockstill. After discussions, it was determined that this matter is trial ready.
Monday, August 19, 2019
On motion of Anthony J. Saleme, Jr., Assistant District Attorney, the Court ordered the trial re-fixed for November 18, 2019 at 9:00 A.M., together with the corresponding Pre-Trial Conference for the Petit Jury Term. The defendant was present in open Court and given personal notice of these fixings.
Monday, November 18, 2019
On motion of Brady Holtzelaw, Assistant District Attorney, this case was called for trial. The defendant was present in open Court. The defendant’s attorney J. Kevin Stockstill was called in the Courtroom and failed to answer the call or make any appearances and the Court ordered the trial continued and re-fixed for February 18, 2020 at 9:00 A.M., together with the corresponding Pre-Trial Conferences for the Petit Jury Term. The defendant was given personal notice of these fixings.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
On motion of Anthony J. Saleme, Jr., Assistant District Attorney standing in for Robert Vines, the Court ordered the Trial continued re-fixed for April 20, 2020 at 9:A.M. The defendant was present in open Court with attorney, J. Kevin Stockstill and given personal notice of this fixing.
Covid-19 Order March 16th – June 30th.
Friday, October 02, 2020
On the Court’s own motion, this case was called on the docket for trial. The Court stated that a written Motion of Continue had been filed by the State and that a date would be set at a later date.
Monday, February 08. 2021
First Assistant District Attorney Robert C. Vines orally amended the Bill Of Information from Felony Theft to Misdemeanor Theft and declined to prosecute the Computer Fraud. A bench trial began with Judge Anthony Thibodaux as the presiding Judge. The first day ended with all four of the Tribal Council Members (April Wyatt, Jacob Darden, Toby Darden and Jackie Junca) all taking the witness stand and testifying.
Tuesday, February 09, 20201
The trial began on Tuesday morning with Montie Spivey taking the witness stand followed by Patty Perry and finally Retired State Trooper Michael Washington. At the conclusion of Washington’s testimony the state rested its’ case. The defense called two witnesses the first being Tara Trahan and concluded with Mr. Butch Metz of First National Bank of Jeanerette. Closing arguments made by Vines and Kevin Stockstill concluded the trial.
Judge Thibodaux addressed the audience in a powerful manner and ruled that O’Neil J. Darden Jr. was NOT GUILTY of “THEFT” nor Computer Fraud if he had to decide that as well.
Below are local news paper articles following the NOT GUILITY VERDICT.
2017 O'Neil J. Darden Jr. 