Brandon Scott Lavergne - Guilty Plea and LWOP

[justwundering]

He could of very well cut them off and cut himself bad doing it. Just picture someone who is in a hurry and wants to hide finger prints, because maybe that is how he picked up the bike, to throw it in the back of his truck and pulls out a razor knife(most mechanics use them and also terrorist brings down planes with them) and is holding the bike by the grips and he starts to slice the grip and the bike turns and he cuts the finger of the hand that is holding the grip or handle bar.
Remember a razor knife is a razor blade with a handle and you get don't a second chance with that.

My question is: why would BSL even remove them? As you state, most mechanics are prepared with necessary supplies, like WD 40 and rags. A simple spray of WD 40, soap, or alcohol and a rag would remove any fingerprints or blood. Its hard enough to lift prints from a flat surface much less a round, vinyl handgrip that has been sprayed with WD40.

 

[K.jill]

My question is: why would BSL even remove them? As you state, most mechanics are prepared with necessary supplies, like WD 40 and rags. A simple spray of WD 40, soap, or alcohol and a rag would remove any fingerprints or blood. Its hard enough to lift prints from a flat surface much less a round, vinyl handgrip that has been sprayed with WD40.

Exactly, why remove them? If he did, with his injuries it would seem he had a reason.
Is it likely they would come off from exposure to water for several days?

 

[Ihavenoname]

I'm sorry if this has been discussed already, but I remember early on before BSL was arrested, talks of a pressure washer being stolen and the place where is was stolen from set on fire. Is this correct? If so has it ever been determined is was not BSL who did that? The fire makes me think it could have been him. Would it be possible to clean the inside of his truck with it?

Why would BSL want to steal a pressure washer and risk getting in more trouble when you can just go and rent one?
And a pressure washer would not be the right way to clean inside of a vehicle. The pressure from the washer would tear up more of the interior of that vehicle than it would do any good.

 

[reedus23]

Yes, it would be nice to be able to fill-in the missing pieces so that the picture is complete!

I'd like to know how LE knew that BSL was at WB. An eye witness, cameras, tire marks, dna, cell phone records, gps or?

I don't think we'll ever know EVERYTHING but I do think a day will come when we do know MORE. Until then, the least I can do for the other families of possible victims is patiently wait while those cases are investigated.

 

[Ihavenoname]

My question is: why would BSL even remove them? As you state, most mechanics are prepared with necessary supplies, like WD 40 and rags. A simple spray of WD 40, soap, or alcohol and a rag would remove any fingerprints or blood. Its hard enough to lift prints from a flat surface much less a round, vinyl handgrip that has been sprayed with WD40.

Picture what he had just gone thru and he was trying to hide evidence and it looks like he isn't the smartest crook on earth. Do you think that he thought of just spraying stuff on them or he would of wanted them gone?

 

[CajunA]

I know they got a subpena for OnStar records but if there would of had any, they could of known that he went to that burial place twice. They sure would of had search such an isolated area if they had such records.

That's TRUE!! This kinda rules out LE using his GPS or OnStar records wouldn't you think?

 

[Jkg005]

Exactly, why remove them? If he did, with his injuries it would seem he had a reason.
Is it likely they would come off from exposure to water for several days?

My personal opinion on why he would have removed them is because they were an identifying factor in that they were gold and nothing more than that. I doubt that he even worried about DNA etc. I mean how does a rapist leave a washcloth at a crime scene with his DNA on it? How does one stab, get stabbed and possibly shoot someone in their vehicle, speculation because we don't really know where she was shot, and not think that some DNA would be left behind. I don't think he would have burned the truck if there weren't the video. He probably would have just cleaned it up and bought another one. Who knows?

 

[JustyThoughts]

Remember the day BSL was arrested, there was something about a statement he made? Sorry I am not able to link to a source (or was "talk" or a rumor), but some may remember. Did anything "official" ever come out ........ as to what it was that BSL said to arresting officers - or if he made such a statement.

Re the law enforcement interview at hosp in NO; I wonder whether once BSL's photo was released to the public - did the NO officers remember him and contact investigators to tell about that day at the hosp.? Or did the hosp. visitdetails come to investigators some other way?

 

[reedus23]

I'll have to say, while it absolutely wasn't the outcome we all hoped and prayed for, I think LE overall did a remarkable job in bringing this case full circle. It's hard to believe in less than 3 months they went from a missing person with no body, no suspects and not much in the way of evidence to not only bringing Mickey home but already putting the guilty party behind bars for life, of course with a lot of help from the public. Talk about swift.

 

[peepop123]

Thank you, Backwoods. You explained this much better than I did.
It does not change the outcome. But, now that we know his hand was injured it seems even more odd that he would remove the grips. Since they are so hard to remove I wonder how he did it with the injury. He did a lot during that 20 hrs. Kidnapping, murder, injury, drove home to clean up, hiding the body, dumped bike at WB, visited friend in NO, ER, and removed the bikes grips.

BBM

Exactly my thoughts when I heard his "version of events"!! Its hard for me to believe that he brought MS back to his house to "tend to his wounds" and clean up a bit and just left her in his truck (his plea agreement, per the documents that were released, never say he took her out of his vehicle when he went home). I have no clue when it comes to guns, but I would assume that when you shoot someone in the head at such a close range, there would be a good bit of "cleaning up to do". Did he just clean around her?? Also, the cemetery isn't exactly close to his home (at least I don't recall it being really close), so that took time as well. He also had to attempt to bury her, which took time. I'm sure he also spent a lot of time coming up with a plan...all before daylight? One does not simply ride around during the day with a dead body in their vehicle...regardless of when they were reported missing...so that leads me to believe that he did a majority of this before daylight. I've never completely believed his version of events...I just think they were accurate enough to coincide with the evidence.

As far as the JPSO or NOPD discussion...we have to remember that LE was talking to him as "the victim". Although eventually they realized his story was probably bogus and he stopped providing information, at first, they were filing a report on an attack and robbery. Once he stopped providing information, they probably assumed it was a "drug deal gone bad" or some other shady behavior that may or may not occur in the New Orleans area. I agree that they had no reason to ever discuss with him what vehicle he was driving.

Sorry if this is a lot of rambling...I have a hard time keeping my thoughts contained when it comes to this case! And again, its all MOO.

 

[peepop123]

And(I know you are not suppose to start a sentence with and but) maybe his confession is a piece of work to try and make himself look better although that was impossible.

Yes, that is what I will believe until something else is released that can convince me otherwise. So many things about it don't make sense.

 

[Ihavenoname]

I think I could like a few others on here poke holes in his confession, but I guess that is not for us to do.
Example one: lol now I didn't go and see where he buried her, but from the scenes on TV, that sure doesn't look like a hole that was dug in a hurry and with a hurt hand. Remember trees has roots going out in all directions under ground.
Unless when the LE dug, they made a uniform looking hole. Like go bigger than the original hole not to disturb the site until ready.

 

[justwundering]

I'll have to say, while it absolutely wasn't the outcome we all hoped and prayed for, I think LE overall did a remarkable job in bringing this case full circle. It's hard to believe in less than 3 months they went from a missing person with no body, no suspects and not much in the way of evidence to not only bringing Mickey home but already putting the guilty party behind bars for life, of course with a lot of help from the public. Talk about swift.

LE had the good fortune of BSL's misfortune...picking the wrong victim. Mickey's fight and the hurt she put on BSL drove him to do things he never anticipated having to do. Plus, her family and friends and an entire global circle of support would not let this crime sit idle the way Lisa's did. I don't want to bash LE, but without the two critical tips, BSL would not have been identified, (at least not as quickly) and BSL would probably still be out there living his life the way he did in the month and a half after Mickey's murder. As for putting him behind bars for life I still struggle with the negotiated plea. Perhaps the DA didn't feel as confident in the evidence, or, perhaps because of other reasons like pressure from family to negotiate for the body, or, the DAs' desire to end this quickly, they felt the plea arrangement was appropriate. We may never know whether LE had sufficient evidence to arrive at a DP conviction. With a present day cost of $23,000/year per prisoner, taxpayers will pay well over $1,000,000 to keep BSL at Angola, if he lives to his life expectancy. Don't know how much it would cost for trial and appeals, but I personally would prefer covering those costs.

 

[OceanMetTheSky]

To all interested, on dateline on the ID channel right now, there is an episode I posted about a while back which contains a killer that said things almost exactly how Brandon Lavergne said his confession. It's very interesting, I'd urge anyone to watch but it's a few episodes before it gets to the confession or description of the crime.

 

[Donamena]

To all interested, on dateline on the ID channel right now, there is an episode I posted about a while back which contains a killer that said things almost exactly how Brandon Lavergne said his confession. It's very interesting, I'd urge anyone to watch but it's a few episodes before it gets to the confession or description of the crime.

It's as if they all have the same rule book...what to do to avoid the needle...
Does it cost more to incarcerate animals/sorry, that's defamation to animals.... than to execute them?? Don't know..anybody??

 

[GulfCoastKAT]

LE had the good fortune of BSL's misfortune...picking the wrong victim. Mickey's fight and the hurt she put on BSL drove him to do things he never anticipated having to do. Plus, her family and friends and an entire global circle of support would not let this crime sit idle the way Lisa's did. I don't want to bash LE, but without the two critical tips, BSL would not have been identified, (at least not as quickly) and BSL would probably still be out there living his life the way he did in the month and a half after Mickey's murder. As for putting him behind bars for life I still struggle with the negotiated plea. Perhaps the DA didn't feel as confident in the evidence, or, perhaps because of other reasons like pressure from family to negotiate for the body, or, the DAs' desire to end this quickly, they felt the plea arrangement was appropriate. We may never know whether LE had sufficient evidence to arrive at a DP conviction. With a present day cost of $23,000/year per prisoner, taxpayers will pay well over $1,000,000 to keep BSL at Angola, if he lives to his life expectancy. Don't know how much it would cost for trial and appeals, but I personally would prefer covering those costs.

Trials and appeals would easily cost twice or three times that amount. First, the continued investigation, depositions, expert witnesses for both sides because BSL was indigent- the taxpayers would pay for both the prosecution and defense. Then the trial, the sentencing phase and automatic appeals of sentenced to death. Death penalty costs more than LWOP. I am not disappointed with the plea. Nancy Shunick said as soon as she met with the DA before he mentioned plea- she told him she wanted Mickey's body. To me, that's enough. BSL's lawyers can talk about his remorse all day and I could care less. If he wouldn't have gotten the plea, Mickey would still be buried in Pinsclair. I feel confident of that. I will find satisfaction with him spending life at Angola so the Shunick's got to bury their daughter their way- not for her to stay buried on his terms.

As far as meeting the parole officer- he could have been in work coveralls.. "oh, I'm just getting in from work/going to work." he could have been wearing long sleeves- many things to hide his wounds. He doesn't get strip searched for knife wounds when he checks in. I believe he checked in before the DWT was shown on TV. Being a mechanic offshore, he could have explained the finger/hand injury away as a work injury. The parole officer wasn't going to call and check that out and BSL knew it.

 

[GulfCoastKAT]

Here is a good article about the costs of seeking capital conviction and death row. http://www.deathpenalty.org/article.php?id=42

I do support the death penalty. I am glad we have it here in Louisiana. I was okay with the DA seeking death against BSL. However, for the Shunick's to have Mickey back and buried where they chose, I am fine with the plea.

 

[bessie]

My curiosity still surrounds BSL's visit to his parole officer--which happened in late May, IIRC. This man is an RSO, with visible wounds on his body and driving a white truck. For me the NO/JPPD have an easier out, but considering BSL was sitting in front of his appointed officer and gave off no alarm bells has always confounded me. If that officer had called the JPPD officer to get a feel of BSL's story, would justice have been served sooner?

I am not calling anyone out, but my curiousity has not waned on this matter.

Agreed. I don't have an explanation for him.

 

[GulfCoastKAT]

Also, remember that BSL met with a parole officer that was directly having to do with registration as a sex offender. This isn't his probation officer that he would see and sit down and talk with. When BSL checked in in May, I guarentee it was just to update his sex offender registry page/info. They go in and verify their home, work, school (if applicable) addresses, jobs, photo, vehicle info, and any new identify marks (scars, tattoos, etc). This person wouldn't have had any reason to question BSL's whereabouts or anything like that. He was no longer on probation so he didn't have to answer to the 20 questions like he would have if he was still on paper.

Im not saying that he (and all sex offenders) shouldn't have to answer anyone after they complete their jail sentences/probation periods- I'm just saying that they don't. They check in because the law says they have to keep the registry updated. That's the only reason.

** My information comes from my uncle who is a registered sex offender in Louisiana... Currently incarcerated for failure to update his sex offender registry information.

 

[ATasteOfHoney]

It's as if they all have the same rule book...what to do to avoid the needle...
Does it cost more to incarcerate animals/sorry, that's defamation to animals.... than to execute them?? Don't know..anybody??

Because many of the accused sit on Death Row awaiting appeal after appeal, and drumming up legal fee after legal fee, many have done studies that show it is cheaper to just do verdicts of life in prison without the chance of parole (versus a death penalty).