A Ricohoc man has been found guilty in connection with the death of a woman in 2017.
On Friday, District Attorney Bo Duhe announced that a jury found 54-year-old Donald Eugene Hull, Jr., of Ricohoc, guilty of manslaughter of Celina Lipari Hull.
The investigation began on October 6, 2017, when authorities were called to an apartment on West Ibert Street in Franklin to a subject with injuries and a potential fire. Upon arrival, authorities found the victim, Celina Lipari Hull, lying on the floor of the residence, dead, with a large laceration to her neck.
After a lengthy investigation Donald Eugene Hull, Jr., was determined to be the only other occupant of the apartment where the victim's body was located. He was arrested on March 9, 2018.
In 2018, following Hull's arrest, The Daily Review in Morgan City, reported that the incident was being investigated as a domestic homicide by Franklin Police. Hull was originally arrested on a charge of second-degree murder.
Jury selection in the case began on Monday, December 16, 2019. Testimony in the case began the following morning. The State rested its case-in-chief on Thursday morning and the defense rested its case shortly before lunch on Friday.
Following deliberation, the jury came back with the verdict one hour later.
Donald Eugene Hull, Jr. will be sentenced on March 20, 2020.
In 2017, Neighbors told KATC that an argument was ongoing between the Hulls before the incident occurred.
One neighbor said that Hull claimed that the victim tried to stab him and started the fire at her home before slicing her own throat.
Watch that story below:
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, there is help available.
For a full list of resources for Domestic Abuse help in LA, click here: http://lcadv.org/programs-resources/
