JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — A Jefferson Parish judge sentenced a man to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to the murder of a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office detective in 2016.
The district attorney's office says 27-year-old Jerman Neveaux pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for avoiding a possible first-degree murder conviction and death sentence had his case gone to trial.
Neveaux was 19 years old when he shot and killed Detective David Michel Jr. outside the Dunkin’ Donuts on Manhattan Boulevard.
Michel was patrolling the Pebble Walk neighborhood when he spotted Neveaux following someone on foot, according to JPSO. Michel, who was wearing street clothes, stopped Neveaux and attempted to search him. During the encounter, Neveaux pulled out a stolen gun and opened fire on the deputy, fatally wounding him.
"Just three weeks before he killed Detective Michel, Neveaux pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of illegal possession of stolen things in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court after police found he had a stolen pistol. He received probation for the misdemeanor conviction," the district attorney's office said.
Neveaux's trial is scheduled to begin next week.