DANIEL TYLER GOODEN

PLAQUEMINE – Convicted murderer Daniel Blank is again on trial, this time for the alleged murder of Paulina resident Barbara Bourgeois. Blank has already been found guilty in two of a string of murders in the River Parishes between 1996 and 1997. Now he faces a jury for the murder of Bourgeois, 58, found dead in her home March 18, 1997 by St. James Parish sheriff’s deputies. This trial started in Plaquemine Monday. St. James Parish Assistant District Attorney Thomas Kliebert is prosecuting the case. According to reports, one of Bourgeois’ neighbors contacted the sheriff’s office after she noticed Bourgeois hadn’t gone through her usual routine of fetching the morning newspaper and heading to work. Bourgeois had been a teacher’s aide at Lutcher High School for over nine years. The deputies were expecting a medical emergency but found Bourgeois dead and obvious signs of a struggle, said Sheriff Willy Martin. Blank, who had been a mechanic in Paulina, was apprehended in Onalaska, Texas, near Houston, on Nov. 13, 1997. He was charged and allegedly confessed to the following murders: Oct. 27, 1996; Victor Rossi, 42, St. Amant, Ascension Parish.
March 19, 1997; Barbara Bourgeois, 58, Paulina, St. James Parish.
April 9, 1997; Lillian Phillippe, 71, Gonzales, Ascension Parish.
May 9, 1997; Sam and Louella Arcuri, 76 and 69, LaPlace, St. John Parish.
May 15, 1997; Joan Brock, 55, LaPlace, St. John Parish.
July 7, 1997; attempted murder of Leonce and Joyce Millet, both 66, Gonzales, Ascension Parish. According to reports Blank had worked for Rossi, been a neighbor of Bourgeois, bought auto parts from Phillippe at Blue’s Auto Parts Store in Gonzales and worked at Doug Brock’s auto shop at various times. At the time of Joan Brock’s murder, Blank was still working for her husband. He also knew of the Arcuris. Blank “preyed on elderly victims, as well as persons able to put the least resistance,” said St. John Parish Sheriff Wayne Jones. Blank was stealing from his victims to support a gambling addiction, Jones added. Blank has so far pled innocent in his last two trials, despite the recorded confessions. He has been found guilty and has received the death penalty in both prior trials for the murders of Brock and Phillippe.