Murder trial postponed, defense attorney to undergo emergency surgery

A murder trial was declared a mistrial after the defense lawyer had to undergo emergency surgery.

Philip Anthony Fuchs is charged with second-degree murder after a fight turned deadly in the 200 block of 100 on Sept. 1, 2022. Fuchs called 911 and admitted to shooting Travis Breaux.

If convicted, Fuchs will face life imprisonment.

Defense attorney Mike Billiot argued that the stand-your-ground clause applies before U.S. District Court Judge Randall Bethancourt on Aug. 20. In Louisiana, the stand-your-ground law states that a person can use reasonable force to defend themselves as long as they have a right to be on the scene and are not committing a crime.

The proceedings were due to resume the following day but were postponed and the case was eventually ruled inadmissible. Billiot underwent surgery the following day.

“The defense attorney had a medical emergency,” Bethancourt said. “We’re going to start over with a new jury and everything.”

According to Bethancourt, this has not happened in 22 years. The trial has been postponed until October. Billiot, in a phone call on Tuesday, August 27, said he was doing well and would represent Fuchs in October.