Trahan murder trial underway

By: Theresa Mayard

The trial of The State of Louisiana v. Paxton Trahan began yesterday with Judge Ed Broussard presiding over the court.

Trahan is charged with second-degree murder.

In 2008, Trahan, along with Brady Harrington, was arrested for the alleged murder of his father James Paul. The alleged crime took place south of Kaplan. Trahan’s father was shot, then burned and dumped in a canal a few miles from his home.

After opening statements from Trahan’s attorney Burton Guidry and and the Assistant District Attorney Ted Ayo, 99 pieces of evidence were introduced into the court room. The evidence included such items as dirty clothing, burnt materials, pictures of the crime scene, cell phones and a shotgun, among other things.

Witnesses testified against Trahan. Two were former friends of the defendant and two were police officers. The witnesses were all called by the state.

Dane Allen, from Kaplan, testified saying he was threatened by Harrington the night of the murder to help move Trahan’s father’s body into the woods. He said he helped move the body, which was wrapped in a sheet, about an inch, but refused to move it any further. Allen also said, while this was happening, Trahan was inside the house cleaning the bedroom with bleach.

“I think it’s wrong,” said Allen when asked what he thought about the murder. “That man never hurt anybody.”

Mason Deygood, a friend of Harrington, was also called to testify. He said Harrington told him the happenings of the evening while in a car with Trahan and a few other people. He said Harrington said Trahan kicked his father’s door in and Harrington shot the man. Trahan then proceeded to clean the blood in the bedroom with bleach while Trahan burned the body to dispose of evidence.

He said, during the car ride, Harrington and Trahan discussed what to do with the body and agreed to get chains, weights and wrap the body and dump it over a bridge.Deygood also said Harrington’s phone had video recordings of a body on fire in the backyard.

Two officers, Sgt. Anthony Chance White and David Mouton, also testified. They both were among the 10 police officers who were deployed to issue an arrest warrant for Trahan and Harrington and a search warrant for Trahan’s home.

The trial will continue this morning at 9 a.m.