SERVING ASCENSION, ASSUMPTION & ST. JAMES PARISHES

Labadieville Man Sentenced on Negligent Homicide Charge

On August 9, 2016, Jamal Starks, 117 Violet St. Labadieville, LA., age 19, pled guilty to Negligent Homicide following the shooting death of D’Ronald Washington, age 18 of Napoleonville. Starks was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lana Chaney, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Tess Stromberg. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

On December 20, 2015, Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 117 Violet St. Labadieville in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located a male subject identified as D’Ronald Washington suffering from a single gunshot wound. Washington was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge where he remained in critical condition. On December 22, 2015, Washington succumbed to his injuries. During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Starks and Washington were sitting by a fire behind Stark’s residence and playing with a gun. While Starks was playing with the gun, it discharged striking Washington in the head. Upon completion of the investigation, Starks was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on the charge of Negligent Homicide.

On January 9, 2017, Starks appeared in court for sentencing. Judge Stromberg ordered that Jamal Starks be committed to the Louisiana Department of Corrections for a period of 5 years with credit for time served. It was further ordered that as part of Stark’s parole, he is to reimburse the family of Washington for all funeral expenses incurred.