A 40-year-old Montegut man charged with attempted murder rejected the state’s plea offer today because he didn’t feel the sentence was long enough.
Steven Walcott Jr., of 128 St. Matt St., is being held without bond at the jail following his arrest in May 2016 in the wake of a shooting in the 800 block of Norman Street that left a 46-year-old man in critical condition, authorities said.
Prosecutors offered Walcott a 20-year plea agreement, but Walcott turned down the offer and demanded 30.
Dressed in a red jail-issued jumpsuit and seated in a wheelchair, Walcott also asked to represent himself in the case even though the court had appointed public defender Michael Billiot as his attorney.
“I don’t want (Billiot’s) representation because to this day he hasn’t done any work on my case,” Walcott said. “The plea deal that I came to court for on Oct. 9 went down from 30 years to 20 years and I don’t want the 20 years. I want the 30 years. I want the plea deal that was first offered.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Bethancourt said. “I think I misunderstood.”
“No, you heard me right,” Walcott said. “I was offered 30 years and he came to me with 20 and I told him I wasn’t going to accept the 20. I wanted the 30. If he couldn’t get me the 30 years I didn’t want to see him anymore as my counsel.”
“What he’s saying is correct, your honor,” Billiot said. “My last interaction with Mr. Walcott was bizarre. Mr. Walcott did indicate to me that he wanted to have 30 years as opposed to the 20 that I had negotiated with (prosecutors).”
Billiot said Walcott also refuses to meet with him at the jail, which makes it difficult for him to move forward on the case.
Bethancourt granted the defendant’s request to receive a transcript of his Jan. 18 hearing and asked Billiot to review the transcript as well.
“I object to that, man,” Walcott shouted. “I object to him representing me and you denying me my constitutional right to represent myself. He can’t proceed with my case and doesn’t know anything and I won’t tell him nothing. I have a right to a counsel to my satisfaction. You’re a judge and you know this.”
Bethancourt admonished Walcott for the outburst and cautioned him not to interrupt. Walcott ignored the warning and unleashed a profanity-filled rant.
“Hold me in contempt seven or eight times,” Walcott said. “Give me my 30 years so I can go. You’re holding me for nothing.”
Although Bethancourt held the defendant in contempt of court, it did little to halt his ranting.
“I’m quite concerned about your mental ability to move forward,” Bethancourt said.
“I’m concerned about your mental ability to judge this case,” Walcott said. “Get me out of this courtroom and take me downstairs.”
Bethancourt banged his gavel and gave Walcott another count of contempt and ordered the defendant to be removed from the courtroom. As Walcott was wheeled out of the room, he shouted again and was given yet another count of contempt.
In all, Walcott was charged with six counts of contempt of court which amounts to a three-year sentence.
After Walcott was wheeled out of the courtroom, Billiot requested a sanity commission to be appointed to evaluate his client’s mental state. Bethancourt granted the motion.
The defendant has also filed four pending lawsuits over the last year alleging harsh conditions at the Terrebonne Parish jail. The Sheriff’s Office dismissed the lawsuits as baseless.
