It took a LaSalle Parish Jury less than 15 minutes to convict a Terrebonne Parish man of second-degree murder last week at the 28th Judicial District Court in Jena.

“Following a four-day jury trial, a LaSalle Parish Petit Jury convicted Brenton Miller, 32, of second-degree murder of Caden Madden,” stated LaSalle Parish District Attorney J. Reed Walters. “Madden was from Webster Parish and had moved into LaSalle Parish only recently before the murder which took place in Trout on October 15, 2021.”

According to records, the shooting death of Madden occurred around 7 p.m. in the 1000 block of Swan Street outside the residence of Miller.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Madden, 29, dead from a gun shot wound.

Miller fled the scene but was soon captured in Grant Parish after being stopped in a vehicle for speeding.

“A LaSalle Parish Grand Jury had indicted Miller on November 9, 2021 and an original trial date of September 26, 2022 was set,” Walters said. “However, Miller’s original attorney withdrew from the case and a new attorney was appointed to represent him shortly after. A new trial date of September 25, 2023 was set.”

On September 25, a 12 person and two alternate jury was selected to try the case. Opening statements and testimony began on that date also. The trial testimony concluded on Thursday September 28th which included testimony from the defendant.

Steve Kendrick, 1st Assistant District Attorney for LaSalle, presented the case to the jury for the state. He was assisted at the trial by Evans Dorroh, 3rd Assistant District Attorney and the trial was presided over by Judge J. Christopher Peters, District Judge of the 28th Judicial District.

“Following closing arguments by both the State and the Defendant, Judge Peters instructed the jury as to the law concerning the case,” the DA continued. “Following a deliberation of approximately 15 minutes, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of Guilty of Second-Degree Murder. All jury trial verdicts must now be unanimous.”

Judge Peters set a sentencing date for Miller for December 5th, 2023. Miller faces a mandatory life in prison without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.

Both Walters and Kendrick expressed their appreciation to the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office for their speedy resolution of the case and the swift apprehension of Miller who had fled the scene.

Miller was arrested in less than 3 hours of the murder back in 2021, something LaSalle Sheriff Scott Franklin also praised his detectives and deputies for.

“Any homicide is tragic but thanks to the professional work of our men and woman and the great working relationship we have with neighboring law enforcement agencies, this crime was solved and the suspect behind bars within 2 ½ hours.”