The Louisiana Supreme Court has reversed a decision made by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal and reinstated the murder convictions of Donald Briggs III and Stefan Briggs.
The two brothers were originally convicted in 2022 for the drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of Jazaylon Levy. However, the appeals court had previously ruled that the evidence presented during the trial was insufficient to support their convictions.
Background of the Case
In July 2022, a jury in Vermilion Parish found the Briggs brothers guilty of murdering Levy in a drive-by shooting. The shooting, which was part of an ongoing period of violence between rival groups in the Abbeville area, involved the brothers shooting at a group of people from a moving vehicle. The intended target of the attack was Gavin Garnica, although it was Levy who tragically lost his life.
In December 2025, Garnica had briefly escaped from the Vermilion Parish Jail, only to be captured three days later after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through multiple parishes.
Appeals Court Decision
After the conviction, the defense appealed, arguing that the evidence presented was not sufficient for a guilty verdict. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal sided with the defense, ruling that the evidence didn’t prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the brothers were responsible for the murder.
Supreme Court’s Reversal
However, the Louisiana Supreme Court disagreed with the appeals court’s decision. The high court found that the evidence presented at trial was enough for the jury to reasonably conclude that the Briggs brothers were involved in Levy’s death and had the specific intent to kill.
The court emphasized that the evidence showed the brothers went to the crime scene with the intention of killing their target, even if Levy was not the intended victim.
According to the justices, the jury’s conclusion was based on the fact that the Briggs brothers waited at the crime scene and executed a drive-by shooting, firing ten shots at a group of three people, intending to hit Garnica.
What Happens Next
With the Louisiana Supreme Court’s decision, the murder convictions of Donald and Stefan Briggs have been reinstated. This means that their convictions stand, and they could face significant penalties for their involvement in Levy’s death. The ruling also highlights the court’s belief that the jury’s decision was justified based on the evidence available at the trial.
