Patrick Sean Sweeney has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the 2009 shooting death of James Chitman. Chitman was killed in a parking lot near a Shreveport lounge shortly after 2 a.m. on July 27, 2009.
Caddo Parish District Court Judge John Mosely accepted the plea and sentenced Sweeney, 36, to 25 years in prison at hard labor.
"It was important to all citizens of Caddo Parish that the assailant receive a substantial sentence at hard labor and with the plea of guilty, that goal was achieved," said Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott said in a statement released after the plea deal was accepted. "Whenever an intentional homicide occurs in Caddo Parish in circumstances that are not justifiable in the law, the citizens are also victims."
According to the statement released Tuesday by the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office:
In presenting facts of the case to the court to justify a manslaughter plea, Assistant District Attorney Laura Fulco said witnesses observed Chitman in a confrontation with a group of individuals in the parking lot near the lounge. Witnesses described Chitman as very intoxicated, belligerent and the aggressor in that confrontation. Lab reports showed Chitman's blood alcohol was .20 at the time, more than double the legal limit.
Witnesses said they saw Chitman walking in the parking lot following the confrontation exclaiming loudly that he was going to get his gun and that he would "shoot anyone who moves." Chitman was observed standing outside his vehicle with a gun in his hand and shortly thereafter, Sweeney opened fire with a semi automatic weapon. Chitman was struck multiple times.
Investigators found a semi automatic handgun belonging to Chitman at the scene, loaded and ready to fire.
During examination by Judge Mosely, Sweeney acknowledged those facts to be true.
"It has always been our policy to consult with family members of homicide victims before offering any plea arrangements and we did so multiple times in this case," Scott said. "Although the estranged wife of Chitman did not agree, his former wife and the mother of his children said she was ‘at peace' with our decision."
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Patrick Sean Sweeney, 36 (Source: Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office)
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