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Lafourche jury finds Raceland man guilty of aggravated rape

Posted at 12:02 AM, Apr 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-24 01:02:31-04

A Raceland man charged with aggravated rape in November of 2017 was convicted by a Lafourche Parish jury Tuesday evening, according to District Attorney Kristine Russell. The Honorable Hugh Larose presided over the trial.

Michael Lirette

Michael Lirette, Sr., 66, sexually abused the pre-teen victim over a period of several years dating back over a decade ago. Lirette, who lived on the same street as the victim, was a friend of the victim’s family.

“Justice may be delayed, but it won’t be denied,” said Assistant District Attorney Jason Chatagnier, who prosecuted the case along with Greg Stahlnecker. “The victim became the voice of her 8-year-old self. Now, after a decade of living with the weight of her story, justice has been served.”

Chatagnier continued, “We applaud the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, more specifically the Juvenile Detectives Division, for their diligence in public service.”

During the trial, other victims testified that they, too, were victims of Michael Lirette’s sexual abuse. Their testimony helped establish Lirette’s lustful disposition towards children.

Lirette was initially charged with first-degree rape, but at the time of the commission of the offenses, first-degree rape was known as aggravated rape; the elements of the offense remain the same.

The Honorable Hugh Larose ordered that Lirette be taken into custody and his previous bond terminated. Lirette is scheduled for sentencing on May 16 at 9:00 a.m.

Michael Lirette is facing a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.