Other Articles in this Category
Most Viewed Stories
Most Commented Stories
Most Recommended Stories
Save & Share this Article
Southeast Texan 1800 Miles Away Indicted For Murder
Comments 0 | Recommend 0A prosecutor tells KFDM news Thursday's indictment is an important step in making sure 43 year old Joseph Jimmy Desormeaux never walks the streets again.
Officers arrested Desormeaux last month at a soup kitchen in Washington State. They had a warrant for his arrest in the murder of 24 year old Summer Bourque of Nederland. Her body was found last month in a wildlife refuge in Jefferson County. Prosecutors say DNA evidence found in Desormeaux's van played a key role in Thursday's indictment.
Friends of Summer Bourque believe a life sentence is not enough for Desormeaux.
Surveillence video is the first piece of evidence in a murder case that led to Thursday's indictment against Desormeaux. It shows Desormeaux and Summer Bourque leaving Dylan's Bar and Grill in Port Arthur on Sunday, August 10. Three days later her body was found in the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson County.
"We would like to see him get the death penalty, we really would," said Maribella Reichle.
Maribella Reichle was one of Summer's best friends. She says life in prison is too good a sentence for Desormeaux, although
that's the maximum sentence for murder.
"In a way, it's a relief that we've got him and that's he indicted for murder, but it's not gone away and it's not going to go away for a while," said Reichle.
The sight of an empty bedroom still haunts Summer's mother. "It's a day to day thing," said Reichle.
Since the death, Summer's family and friends have had two benefits to pay for her funeral.
"We're gonna do everything we can to vigorously prosecute this man because we think he is dangerous," said Ed Shettle, an assistant district attorney in Jefferson County.
Shettle says Jefferson County investigators are working with the U.S. Marshal's office to bring Desormeaux back from Washington State so he can be prosecuted for the murder of Summer Bourque.
"We miss her laugh the most," said Reichle.
Shettle says Bourque died of asphyxiation. Investigators are trying to find out how it was done.
If convicted, Desormeaux could face up to life in prison.
See archived 'Local News' stories »
We want our site to be a place where people discuss and debate ideas that foster stronger communities. We built this for you. Please take care of it. Tolerate broad thinking, but take action against obscene or hateful material. Make it a credible and safe place worth preserving and sharing.
