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Murder trial postponed, defense attorney undergoes emergency surgery

A murder trial was declared invalid when the defense attorney had to undergo emergency surgery.

Philip Anthony Fuchs is charged with first-degree murder following a fatal fight in the 200 block on September 1, 2022. Fuchs called 911 and admitted to shooting Travis Breaux.

If Fuchs is found guilty, he faces a life sentence.

Defense attorney Mike Billiot argued in District Judge Randall Bethancourt's courtroom on August 20 that the stand-your-ground clause applies. In Louisiana, the stand-your-ground law states that a person may use reasonable force to defend themselves as long as they have a right to be in the place and are not committing a crime.

The trial was scheduled to continue the next day, but was postponed and the case was eventually declared a mistrial. Billiot underwent surgery the next day.

“The defense attorney had a medical emergency,” Bethancourt said. “We're starting over with a new jury and everything.”

According to Bethancourt, this hasn't happened in about 22 years. The trial has been postponed until October. Billiot said in a phone call on Tuesday, August 27, that he is fine and will represent Fuchs in October.

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