L’Observateur / December 20, 2000

EDGARD – A St. John the Baptist Parish grand jury on Wednesday refused toindict a LaPlace man accused of second-degree murder in a shootout outside a Reserve bar.

Even though Joshua Adams, 22 turned himself in for the Oct. 21 shootingand two weapons were found in his car, Assistant District Attorney Charles Lorio said the grand jury was not convinced that Adams meant to kill James D. Burl of Lutcher.”The guy who died shot first,” said Lorio.

The grand jury seemed convinced that the shooting was in self defense.

According to the St. John Sheriff’s Office, Adams and Burl had a long-standing feud. When they saw each other in the parking lot of the Dreamsnightclub on Louisiana Highway 44 in Reserve, they each went back to their cars to retrieve weapons.

Burl fired first at Adams, who returned fire. In the resulting melee, over 24shots were exchanged between Burl and Adams. One of Adams’ bulletsstruck the bolt on Burl’s gun, jamming the weapon.

During the shooting, a bullet went through the wall of the club and struck the club’s disc-jockey in the leg.

Adams then got into his car and drove away. He shot twice, hitting Burl in thechest. Burl stumbled into the club where he collapsed and died.Adams then drove over to the Sherman Walker Correctional Center where he turned himself in to authorities. Deputies found a .40 caliber Lugar pistol andan SKS assault rifle in his car.

Lorio said if more evidence is found Adams could be re-charged with second- degree murder. If charged and convicted, Adams could face life in prison.However, Lorio said Adams could be charged with a lesser offense.

“Possibly the illegal discharging of a firearm,” said Lorio.

Adams can’t be charged with the shooting of the disc jockey because doctors have told authorities they cannot remove the bullet in the man’s leg. Withoutthe bullet prosecutors have no way of knowing who fired the shot that hit the disc jockey.

Adams is still incarcerated in the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility under a $200,000 bond.

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