Eunice man faces murder charge in trial for role in reported botched murder-for-hire
A Eunice man faces trial for the killing of a Montegut woman in a botched murder-for-hire plot.
Dalvin Wilson faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. The first-degree murder charges are for the killing 37-year-old Hope Nettleton and 34-year-old Brittany Cormier. The attempted murder charge is for Chelsie Bourque, who was the intended target of the hit, according to prosecutors.
If convicted, he faces a mandatory life sentence without probation, parole or early release. The death penalty is not being pursued.
The trial began Monday afternoon in Judge Randal Bethancourt's Division E courtroom in the Houma Courthouse. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Elfert is prosecuting the case, and Defense Attorney John Hall Thomas is representing Wilson.
Wilson is one of three men accused of being part of the nighttime slaying of Nettleton and Cormier. Authorities responded at 10:20 p.m. Jan. 13, 2021, to 103 Montegut St. to investigate gunshots and found the two women mortally injured. Both were pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
The others accused are Beaux Cormier, 35, of Kaplan who faces trial Oct. 2, and Andrew Eskin of Carencro, who attorneys said pled guilty as part of a deal to testify in both trials.
Eskin's charges are pending his cooperation.
"Murder-for-hire isn't something that just happens, it's something you see on TV," Elfret said. "You're going to find out how that happens for $4,000."
According to Elfert, Beaux Cormier was facing rape charges from Bourque, the intended victim, and hired Wilson and Eskin to kill the young woman. When the hired guns entered the home and asked for Bourque, Brittany Cormier said she was the rape victim. Brittany Cormier died of a gunshot wound to the head soon after. She was Beaux Cormier's sister.
Nettleton was visiting Brittany Cormier at the time of the shooting. She struggled with the gunman shortly before also being shot.
"Do not underestimate the evil behind this plot," Hall said during his opening statements. "This was an evil and depraved murder if I've ever seen one."
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Hall argued that Wilson was not part of the actual murder but was a patsy and fall guy. Hall said Wilson was offered the truck used by the killer to travel to Montegut prior to the crime. Wilson used the truck to take his son to see other family members, and that he left evidence like his cellphone in the vehicle.
According to the two lawyers, audio evidence will be presented that shows Wilson admitting to the crimes, but Hall said these statements were made under coercion by police and others in jail.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: Eunice man faces trial for alleged part in botched murder-for-hire
