DENT v. STATE (2025)

Writ application denied.

I concur in the denial of defendant's writ application in this matter based on this court's recent actions in Williams v. State, 25-0688 (La. 7/31/25), 415 So.3d 361 (in which this court granted the writ application of the Louisiana Department of Justice and granted a stay), and Moses v. State, 25-0691, 25-0934 (La. 8/1/25), ––– So.3d –––– (in which this court ordered the matter be “stayed pending further order of this Court”). The legal issue in the instant case is the same as in Williams and Moses, namely whether a state wrongful conviction compensation proceeding under La. R.S. 15:572.8 should be stayed pending resolution of a parallel federal action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 based on the same prosecution, in light of the risk of double recovery, inconsistent findings, or judicial inefficiency. See La. C.C.P. art. 532. Accordingly, the court of appeal properly “stay[ed] all proceedings pending the Louisiana Supreme Court's resolution of Williams.”

Weimer, C.J., concurs and assigns reasons.