This is a tragic story of a shooting in Alexandria, Louisiana during the fall of 2018 involving a husband and wife. The wife, Kayla Coutee (nee Giles), is an Army veteran that was employed with the VA in Texas. Her husband, Thomas Coutee, Jr., was an MMA fighter and Welding Instructor in both Louisiana and Texas. They shared one child together and had custody of two other children from Kayla's previous marriage. What began as a custody exchange would immediately spark nationwide debate and be reported by dozens of national news outlets and the BBC. Kayla's attorney argued that the mother of four acted in self-defense, but she was ultimately convicted of second degree murder.
Sources report that the couple's separation was amicable in the early stages but became volatile when Kayla wanted to move with the children to Florida to attend law school. Thomas Coutee's phone, introduced as evidence at trial, contained photos and text messages of him harassing and stalking Kayla, filing false reports with both child services and local police. Seeking security, Kayla fled from her home and rented a home in a gated community. In response to Thomas Coutee bringing a loaded gun to custody exchanges, Kayla requested a restraining order. An order was filed, but unbeknownst to Kayla, was never served. Because Kayla maintained residency in Texas, she was unable to purchase a firearm in Louisiana, but during a visit back to her home state, Kayla purchased a gun of her own, along with a self-defense insurance policy with USCCA, a common practice among those, like Kayla, with a concealed carry license.
Kayla has insisted that all of her actions leading up to the altercation were in the interest of protecting herself and her children. However, USCCA would later cease payments for legal assistance and prosecutors would argue that Kayla was planning to harm her husband.
On the day of the incident, Kayla stated that her husband attempted to provoke a fight during the custody exchange and that she retreated to her vehicle in hope of escaping. Sadly, two of the three children already in Thomas Coutee's truck witnessed the events that ensued. One of the children stated that within seconds of her mother closing the door of her SUV, her stepfather entered the vehicle and lunged at her mother. A single shot was fired by Kayla, fatally injuring Thomas Coutee.
Surveillance footage of the shooting corroborated the statements of both Kayla and the children. And detectives on the case testified that no evidence was found to contradict those statements. Kayla immediately called 911, remained on the scene, and identified herself as the shooter when the police arrived. She then gave a voluntary statement to police without consulting an attorney. She was subsequently charged with second degree murder and booked into Rapides Parish jail with a $1 million dollar bond.
We are shocked that Louisiana would pursue a conviction in what, by all accounts from that day, would seem to be a clear case of self-defense. This case contains multiple facets that will potentially affect the future interpretation of laws within Louisiana regarding domestic abuse, self-defense, expert testimony, justifiable homicide, etc. Therefore, it is imperative that Kayla maintain an effective legal team throughout the process. The purpose of this fundraiser is to help support Kayla in her fight for freedom and provide a warning to those in similar situations. All funds go directly to Kayla. Her case is currently pending with the Louisiana Supreme Court and a decision is expected in 2024.
If you are unable to submit a donation, it is requested that you simply share this fundraiser to your preferred social media platform and keep Kayla in your prayers. We must raise awareness of Louisiana's unjust judicial system, especially with respect to victims of domestic violence.
May God bless each and every one of you!
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Parties involved (dates are approximate):
1. Detective:
William "Collin" Butler, 2018 - 2021 (Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria, LA)
2. Attorneys:
Paul Carmouche, 2018 (Shreveport, LA)
George L. Higgins, III, 2018 - 2022 (Pineville, LA)
Thomas "Rocky" Willson, 2020 - 2022 (Alexandria, LA)
Jane Hogan, 2022 - present (Hammond, LA)
3. Prosecutors:
Philip Terrell, 2018 - 2019 (District Attorney, Rapides Parish, LA)
Monica Doss, 2018 - 2019 (ADA, Rapides Parish, LA)
Jeff Landry, 2019 - 2022 (Attorney General, LA) *elected Governor in 2023
Matthew Derbes, 2019 (AAG, LA)
Brooke Harris, 2019 - 2022 (AAG, LA)
Patrick McGee, 2019 - 2021 (AAG, LA)
M. Joseph LeBeau, III, 2021 - 2022 (AAG, LA)
J. Taylor Gray, 2019 2021 - Present (AAG, LA)
4. Judges:
Mary Doggett, 2018 - 2019 (Rapides Parish, LA)
Patricia Koch, 2018 2019 (Rapides Parish, LA)
William "Greg" Beard, 2019 - 2021 (Rapides Parish, LA)
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Sources:
1. Kayla Giles Coutee (LCIW #00768203, PO Box 26, St. Gabriel, LA 70776 or by email at Jpay/SecurusTech)
2. Surveillance video, dated September 8, 2018 (provided by Sonic Drive-in, Alexandria, LA)
3. State of Louisiana versus Kayla Giles Coutee (Case #340526 and 345209, Rapides Parish, LA)
4. Thomas Coutee versus Kayla Coutee (Case #262150 and #261941, Rapides Parish, LA)
5. Kayla Giles versus United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) and Delta Defense (Case #19-CV-1173, United States District Court, W.D. Louisiana) and
6. State of Louisiana versus Kayla Giles Coutee (Case #KA-22-665, Third Circuit Court of Appeals, LA).
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#StandYourGround #RogueRapides #GunsSave #AttorneysOnRetainer #LegallyArmedAmerica #YATTAFI
