26 Aug Life Sentence for Raceland Man Found Guilty of Aggravated Rape
Lafourche Parish District Attorney Kristine Russell announced that a Raceland man found guilty of aggravated rape in April of 2019 by a Lafourche Parish jury was sentenced earlier today, August 26th.
The Honorable F. Hugh Larose, who presided over the trial, sentenced Michael Lirette Sr., 66, to Life without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence; the only sentence allowed under Louisiana law for aggravated rape.
Lirette sexually abused a pre-teen victim over a period of several years dating back over a decade ago. Lirette, who lived on the same street as the victim, was a friend of the victim’s family.
“Justice may be delayed, but it won’t be denied,” Assistant District Attorney Jason Chatagnier said upon learning of the jury’s verdict back in April. “The victim became the voice of her 8 year old self. Now, after a decade of living with the weight of her story, justice has been served.”
During the trial, other victims testified that they too were victims of Michael Lirette’s sexual abuse. Their testimony helped establish Lirette’s lustful disposition towards children.
Lirette was initially charged with First Degree Rape, but at the time of the commission of the offenses First Degree Rape was known as Aggravated Rape; the elements of the offense, though, remain the same.
Lirette will immediately begin his life sentence with the Department of Corrections.