Parish preps for N.O. trial

• By RICHARD BURGESS
• Advocate Acadiana bureau
• Published: Apr 24, 2008 - Page: 1BA - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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LAFAYETTE — The Clerk of Court’s office is amid extensive preparations for the high-profile murder trial of a New Orleans-area radio and TV personality that was moved to Lafayette because of intense publicity.

Vince Marinello, 70, is scheduled to face trial next month on a second-degree murder charge for allegedly shooting his 45-year-old estranged wife, Liz, in 2006 when she left an appointment in Metairie.

The case is out of Jefferson Parish, but 24th Judicial District Judge Conn Regan granted a change of venue after defense attorneys argued that extensive media coverage in the New Orleans area would make picking an unbiased jury nearly impossible.

Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court Louis Perret said he expects media from across the state to follow the trial in Lafayette, where his office has summoned 500 potential jurors for May 12 — about 200 more potential jurors than are regularly called for a murder trial.

The precaution was taken because stories about the case, including accusations that Marinello wore a disguise and lay in wait for his wife to leave an appointment, have made the news statewide.

The relocation of the trial to Lafayette Parish has presented some problems for local officials, the biggest being space.

Perret said the state courthouse on Buchanan Street was already booked with trials on May 12, so he helped broker an unusual agreement to use the more spacious federal courthouse on Lafayette Street.

“They are loaning us a courtroom,” Perret said.

To handle security, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office has agreed to deputize a force from Jefferson Parish so the out-of-town officers have legal authority to work here.

Then there is the question of covering the tab.

The judge and prosecutors will bring their own staffs from Jefferson Parish, but the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court will be responsible for the care and feeding of the jury, hotel bills, security issues and record-keeping duties, among other things.

Perret said Jefferson Parish has agreed to pay the bill, and court officials from there have already handed over $20,000 in good-faith money.

“I asked for a deposit, and I had it the next morning,” Perret said. “… I have to make sure Lafayette doesn’t get stuck with the bill.”