LSN

VILLE PLATTE – A state witness testified Tuesday at Ordesto Toussaint, 34, confessed to killing Elizabeth Fontenot, 18, on May 11, 2010.

Fontenot’s vehicle and body were found May 11, 2010, in different locations. Her car, which was set on fire, was found near Pine Point Road, and her body was found on Dairy Lane.

Louisiana State Police State Trooper Stephen Bruner, criminal investigator, oversaw the investigation and interrogated Toussaint during his arrest.

Bruner was called to the stand on the first day of trial and testified that initially Toussaint denied any involvement in the murder or even knowing the victim.

However, after extensive investigation that eliminated all of Toussaint’s stories, Bruner said Toussaint finally confessed to the crime, stating he hit Fontenot on the head with a cinder block twice.

Defense attorney Alex Chapman, argued Toussaint only confessed after being threatened and having his family threatened.

Using a transcript of the interviews, Chapman said Bruner stated Toussaint needed to tell the truth and “not put his family through this bull...” Chapman told Bruner that sounded like a threat to Toussaint’s family.

Bruner also testified that results from the Acadiana Crime Lab indicated the DNA of two people were found on the cinder block.

The DNA was confirmed to belong to Fontenot, who was the major contributor (meaning most of the DNA belonged to her), and Toussaint, who was the minor contributor.

Other law enforcement officials involved in the case also testified during the first day of trial. The trial continues today, April 6, with the prosecution calling more witnesses.

Toussaint was indicted on the charge of second-degree murder on July 6, 2010, by the grand jury. The grand jury also returned true bills against him on the charges of simple arson and theft of a motor vehicle.