LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / August 30, 1999

NORCO – Brian Matherne’s attorney, Corbett Ourso Jr. of Hammond, enteredMatherne’s plea of not guilty Wednesday before 29th Judicial District Judge Robert Chaisson.

Matherne, 43, was indicted Aug. 23 by the St. Charles Parish grand jury for19 counts of felony sexual abuse, including four counts of aggravated crime against nature. He faces a possible 274 and 1/2 years in prison if heis convicted and given the maximum sentence.

In a brief statement following Matherne’s arraignment, Ourso thanked the press for allowing Matherne’s immediate family their privacy. Hecontinued that the family statement read: “We want to publicly express our support for Brian. We love him and are there for him.”Inside the brief hearing, Matherne entered, clad in the standard orange jumpsuit with SCCC emblazoned on the back, shacked and handcuffed at his waist.

Trial was set by Chaisson for the week of Jan. 18, the Tuesday followingMartin Luther King Day, starting at 9 a.m.Chaisson set an Oct. 6 hearing date, starting at 9 a.m., for the hearing ofadditional pre-trial motions.

Matherne made no statement during the hearing and did not acknowledge his siblings in the courtroom.

After the hearing, Ourso said Matherne is “in good spirits, all things considered,” and that no change of venue is planned at this time, however, they are keeping the option open.

He added that the family feels comfortable with the trial taking place in Hahnville.

“St. Charles Parish is a good place with good people,” Ourso said. “Theywill keep an open mind until the facts are presented in court.”Earlier, Ourso had filed a motion for a preliminary hearing. However,before the hearing on that motion could be held, the grand jury returned its indictment, precluding the hearing.

The indictment itself does not provide the name of any alleged victim, Ourso said, only initials to identify each. Ourso is a public defender in the21st Judicial District Court hired by Matherne’s family to defend him.

According to Kim McElwee, an assistant district attorney for District Attorney Harry Morel’s office, the charges involve 11 boys, all between the ages of 11 and 17, all crimes allegedly committed between June 1985 and June 1999, a 13-year period, at a hunting camp in the LaBranche Wetlands.

Matherne was a coach and teacher at Sacred Heart School in Norco for 23 years. The alleged victims now range in age from 14 to 25. If convicted,the minimum penalty on the 19 counts is 95 years, without benefit of probation, suspension or parole.

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