By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

EDGARD – District Court Judge Mary Hotard Becnel delayed a ruling on whether Errol and Tonya Victor can represent themselves in the second-degree murder trial against them to give the incarcerated couple more time to prepare.

During a hearing in Edgard Monday, Becnel granted a request from the Victors that allows them time to meet with each other with or without an attorney present. The two remain in jail after being indicted on second-degree murder charges earlier this year.

Becnels ruling allows the couple to meet three times a week in an attorney conference room at the Sherman Walker Correctional facility in LaPlace. It also gives them access to law libraries so that they can prepare for an upcoming hearing on whether they can represent themselves in the trial.

Becnel said the Victors must make a written request with the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office must allow a reasonable amount of time for conversation. Becnel said each meeting must be a minimum of 15 minutes.

Although the Victors are due back in court Oct. 7 in LaPlace, Becnel said she would re-schedule the hearing on representation for Oct. 18 so that it would take place in Edgard.

The Reserve couple is awaiting trial in the 2008 death of 8-year-old M.L. Lloyd III, Tonya Victor’s son and Errol Victor’s stepson.