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On the morning trial was set to begin for Kaylan Morris he accepted two concurrent 40-year prison sentences for Armed Robbery and Manslaughter to be served without probation, or parole. The pleas took place in Section C of the 40^th JDC and were presided over by Judge J. Sterling Snowdy.

The cases were prosecuted by District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut’s office with Assistant District Attorney Christopher Cortez leading the prosecution assisted by Justin Lacour and Henri Dufresne in the State’s case. Morris was represented by Defense Attorney Martin Regan. The plea was agreed to by the victim’s surviving family, who made statements during sentencing that urged a message of love, hope, and forgiveness for all of the families involved.

On April 6, 2017, Morris shot and killed Norvon Gauff in the 300 block of South Fig Street in Garyville. Mr. Gauff died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. The shooting occurred in broad daylight and was witnessed by a relative of the victim who was able to identify Morris as the lone gunman. Prosecutors planned to present additional evidence that the defendant killed Mr. Gauff in retaliation for a previous statement concerning Morris’ involvement in the Armed Robbery of the Garyville General Store in November of the previous year. Statements by Morris placed him at the scene of the crime during the shooting and digital forensic evidence showed that the defendant fled to Baton Rouge immediately after the shooting. The defendant was apprehended in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by agents of the United States Marshall’s Service in conjunction with the St. John Parish Sheriff’s office.

The conviction also solidifies Morris’ role in the November 30, 2016 armed robbery of the Garyville General Store, where Morris was identified by an independent witness, as well as a co-defendant as having actively participated in the armed robbery.