Beating death trial date set for ex-police officer

MANY, La. (AP) - A former Natchitoches police officer accused in the beating death of a Sabine Parish man last year will face a jury next January.

The Town Talk reports (https://townta.lk/1e0OImQ ) state District Judge Stephen Beasley on Thursday set a Jan. 19, 2015, trial date in the capital murder case of 34-year-old Robert Barthelemy, of Natchitoches. The jury will be selected in St. Landry Parish then transported to Sabine Parish for the trial proceedings.

A Sabine Parish grand jury last fall indicted Barthelemy on first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and home invasion charges in the Aug. 21 death of 25-year-old Tony Procell, of Many.

District Attorney Don Burkett is seeking the death penalty. Barthelemy has pleaded not guilty.

Authorities have said both men were involved in a dispute involving a woman.

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Information from: Alexandria Daily Town Talk, https://www.thetowntalk.com