NEWS

Hart Jr. asks to waive jury trial on December standoff

Barbara Leader
bleader@thenewsstar.com

A Monroe businessman who engaged in a seven-hour standoff with Monroe police while he reportedly held his wife inside their home has asked to waive his right to trial by jury.

Dean Hart Jr. is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Tuesday in 4th Judicial District Court. The court will hear Hart’s attorneys’ motion to waive the trial by jury at that time.

Hart was indicted in April by a Ouachita Parish grand jury on eight charges — two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm on an officer, one count of unlawful use of a laser on a police officer, resisting an officer by force, second-degree kidnapping, forcible rape, domestic abuse battery and possession of cocaine.

Hart’s wife initially accused Hart of kidnapping and raping her over a period of days from Dec. 26-30.

Police said that during the altercation he came outside the residence at least once with an assault rifle and also pointed a handgun with a laser sight at officers.

Since that time, the victim has recanted her story.

During a June 10 interview, Hart’s attorney Michael Reese Davis, asked the victim if she wished Hart to be prosecuted for forcible rape, domestic abuse battery and second-degree kidnapping charges. She answered no to all.

Later in the interview, Davis was more specific with his questions.

“Mrs. Hart, as you sit here today, do you believe that Dean Hart Jr. kidnapped you?” Davis asked.

“Today, I do not,” she answered.

“And as you sit here today, do you believe that Dean Hart Jr. raped you?” Davis asked.

“No,” she answered.

The victim also requested that the judge drop the charges and remove the no-contact order against her husband, “so that I can work on my marriage with my husband,” she said.

In July, Hart’s attorneys questioned the legality of police searches and filed motions to exclude evidence — including suspected narcotics — that were seized during searches conducted after Hart reportedly held his wife captive.

“Other than the search warrant for blood and urine samples, the state has not produced any other search warrant dated Dec. 31, 2013,” the motion read. “It therefore appears that a search warrant was not obtained prior to the search of Mr. Hart’s residence on Dec. 31, 2013.”

According to the motion, items seized in that search include “clear baggies containing suspected narcotic residue” and “photographs of his home.”

The motion also questioned the legality of a second search warrant contending the application did not establish probable cause.

Hart’s trial date is set for Oct. 13. Hart is represented by Davis and Glen R. Petersen.

Follow Barbara Leader on Twitter @barbaraleader1