Guard Raises Possibility of Using Insanity Defense *** Unlicensed Security Officer Accused in Fatal Shooting

By ADRIAN ANGELETTE

An unlicensed security guard accused of killing a man while protecting a parking lot during a Southern University football game last fall on Thursday raised a possible insanity defense.

Curtis Lilly, 42, of Baton Rouge changed his plea from not guilty to not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. He has been indicted on a count of second-degree murder in the slaying of Freddie Jackson, 59, of Port Allen.

State District Judge Todd Hernandez ordered that Lilly be evaluated by psychiatrist Robert Blanche and psychologist Donald Hoppe.

Defense attorney John Russell said in court that he will give Hoppe and Blanche medical reports on Lilly’s existing psychiatric conditions. Russell said after court he could not divulge details from those reports.

Prosecutor Aaron Brooks said Lilly’s attorneys have the burden of proof when it comes to an insanity defense.

The shooting occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 9. Authorities said Jackson parked his vehicle along Harding Boulevard and moved it to provide space for his girlfriend to park.

Authorities said Lilly, concerned the vehicles would block in cars parked in parking lot he was guarding, confronted the Jackson and his girlfriend.

Lilly pulled out a gun and pointed it at Jackson, who according to witnesses, raised his hands skyward, authorities said. Lilly shot Jackson and while Jackson was on the ground, Lilly waved the gun in the air “asking if anyone else wanted some,” a Baton Rouge police affidavit says.

Lilly told police that Jackson spoke in a rude manner and he fired the shot only after seeing Jackson reach for something in his right front pocket, according to a police affidavit. The affidavit says Jackson did not pull a weapon from his pocket.

At the time of the shooting, Lilly was wearing a Baton Rouge Security Agency uniform. Wayne Rogillio, executive secretary of the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners, has said that company has not had a license to operate as a security firm since 2004.

Under Louisiana law, a conviction on second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence. If a jury finds Lilly not guilty by reason of insanity, he would be sent to a psychiatric hospital where he would stay until mental health experts and a judge agree that he is no longer a danger to himself and society.

(c) 2007 Advocate; Baton Rouge, La.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.