Anderson sentenced to life in prison for murder

Heavy sentences were handed down in 13th Judicial District Judge Chuck West’s courtroom on Thursday.
The first to face his fate was Samuel Anderson, of Ville Platte, who an Evangeline Parish jury found guilty for the murder of K&T Meat Market owner Ann Nguyen back in April of last year.
During Anderson’s sentencing, which was held on the two year anniversary of the fatal shooting, Nguyen’s family members were granted the opportunity to address the court.
Kathy Nguyen, the victim’s daughter, spoke first, and said, “I’m here today with a shattered heart. It is hard to get the image of what you, Samuel Anderson, did to my mother out of my head."
Kathy then asked the court to have no mercy when it came to Anderson’s sentence.
“I urge you to hand out the harshest sentence possible,” said Kathy. “He showed no mercy when he shot her three times, with the last shot killing her, and even now he shows no remorse. Don’t let us live a lifetime of injustice.”
It was then Nguyen’s son Duke’s turn to speak, who called Anderson’s actions “cowardice.”
“We are here today because of the cowardice acts of a murderer. He shows no remorse like a coward,” said Duke. “He is a product of his surroundings and upbringing, and now the coward will be fed a hot meal and have a roof over his head everyday. He wins, while the rest of us lose.”
When it came to closing out his statement to the court, Duke read Revelation 21:8 from the Holy Bible, which says, “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars--their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Anderson’s attorneys Alex Chapman and Sam Cook were then given an opportunity to address the court, in which Cook said, “First he is still a human being with a family that is suffering. He throws himself on the mercy of the court.”
Then, it was time for Anderson’s sentence to be rendered
Judge West said, “For these crimes, the court renders the following sentences: for the crime of first degree murder, the only allowable sentence by law, life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; and for the crime of armed robbery, 50 years of imprisonment at hard labor without the possibility of parole. These sentences are to be ran consecutively.”
The next in line to face Judge West was Cody K. Fontenot, who a six-person jury found guilty of simple burglary and theft of a motor vehicle with a value of $1,500 or more back in August of 2015.
The repeat felony offender was sentenced last November to 12 years at hard labor for simple burglary and 10 years for theft of a motor vehicle. Both sentences Fontenot had received were the maximum allowable sentences for the crimes he was convicted of.
During his first sentencing hearing, the judge ordered that Fontenot serve five years from each sentence concurrently, which left him with a total of 17 years at hard labor.
However, the State chose to seek to have Fontenot sentenced as a habitual offender, which is a person who has been convicted of three or more crimes that are classified as felonies within a 10 year period.
During the sentencing hearing, the State, who was being represented by Assistant District Attorney Marcus Fontenot, questioned a probation and parole officer to prove that Fontenot fit the requirements to be sentenced as a habitual offender. With the testimony of the probation and parole officer, the State was able to prove that Fontenot had been convicted for seven different felonies, which consisted of crimes such as: insurance fraud, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, theft of livestock and forgery, simple burglary, and theft of a motor vehicle since the year 2007. The judge ruled that Fontenot was eligible to be sentenced as a habitual offender.
When Fontenot’s attorney cross examined the probation and parole officer, he asked if “Fontenot discussed having a drug problem with him,” and if in his experience “when people have drug problems, does petty crime usually follow?” The officer’s response was yes.
The Assistant District Attorney then had another opportunity to question the witness, in which he asked, “Were you here for the Anderson sentencing that just took place?” The witness’ response was yes.
Marcus then finished with, “So you heard when they blamed his actions on drugs too, which resulted in a killing?” Once again, the officer said, “yes.”
It was then time for Judge West to read the sentence.
Fontenot’s 17 year sentence that he had received last November was vacated, and instead Judge West sentenced the habitual offender to 30 years for the crime of simple burglary and 30 years for theft of a motor vehicle.
Fontenot will serve out the two 30 year sentences concurrently, or at the same time.