Elmo Patrick Sonnier - Trial

Trial

During the trial, the brothers traded accusations on who did the actual killing. Patrick was eventually convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death based on his confessions and his brother's testimony that he was the initiator and more dominant participant. This made no difference because separate juries each returned guilty verdicts on each brother and both were sentenced to death. After their first appeal, the death sentences were reversed due to procedural mishaps and new sentencing hearings were issued. Now free from the threat of death, Eddie James Sonnier dramatically recanted his testimony during his brother's second penalty hearing. He had then claimed that it was actually he who did the actual killings and not Patrick. He also expressed that he was the more dominant offender, and even sent a letter to Governor Edwin W. Edwards explaining this. However, the Prosecution successfully attacked Eddie James' credibility and therefore was able to establish that Patrick was the most in charge of the criminal situation. The state of Louisiana imposed a second sentence of death on Patrick, this one to remain. Eddie's sentence was changed to life without the possibility of parole.

Sister Helen Prejean has said Patrick was not actually the one who killed the two teenagers, his brother Eddie was, but she says that although he was not guilty of murder he still felt guilt over his criminal past and parts in the rape of not only the murdered girl, but also many other teenage girls who had come down "lover's lane" with their boyfriends. She said the two brothers had frequently stopped teenagers, saying they were trespassing and then saying if the girl had sex with them, they wouldn't say anything, but on this occasion Eddie got out of hand.