Loranger shocked by murder, kidnapping amid interstate legal battle

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The small community of Loranger in Tangipahoa Parish is reeling from a heartbreaking tragedy. Callie Brunett, a local mother, was found murdered in her home and her two daughters were kidnapped and taken to Jackson, Mississippi.

Tragically, Mississippi police later discovered that four-year-old Erin had been killed, while her six-year-old sister was found injured.

The suspect in this horrific crime is Callie’s ex-boyfriend, Daniel Callahan. In a chilling confession caught on video, Callahan admitted to the crime.

When asked if he had killed the little girl, he simply replied: “I did” and added: “I have no reason for what I did.”

Callahan is expected to be brought back to Louisiana soon to face charges related to the murders. This case presents a legal dilemma: Where will Callahan be tried first, given that the alleged crimes occurred in two states?

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“It becomes a standoff. A civil tug-of-war between prosecutors in Tangipahoa and Jackson, Mississippi, and the state and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” explained former federal prosecutor Harry Rosenberg.

In such cases, prosecutors usually meet to decide which court will handle the first trial. For now, it appears that the first trial will take place in Tangipahoa.

“Based on the Tangipahoa grand jury indictment, it will not take long for the Jackson state grand jury to issue a similar indictment against Callahan and Cox,” Rosenberg said.

Victoria Cox, suspected of being Callahan’s accomplice, was also arrested and charged.

Rosenberg also discussed possible federal charges, citing the Mann Act, which involves transporting individuals across state lines, and the Violent Crimes Against Children Act, which dates back to 1930.

As for the trial timeline, Rosenberg predicts it will be months before Cox goes to trial. If she resists extradition to Louisiana, it could further delay the proceedings.

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