By LEONARD GRAY

CONVENT – Ryan Caldarera, 16, awaits a trial date for the April 2001 shooting deaths of his father and stepmother, “Sonny” and Tracy Caldarera of Lutcher.

Meanwhile, two of the three professionals who examined Ryan Caldarera for mental fitness to stand trial, have entered statements into the court record that the youth is able to function in the trial and assist in his own defense. The teen, a 14-year-old, seventh-grade student at Lutcher Junior High School at the time, allegedly shot and killed the couple in their home, leaving behind his 6-year-old half-sister.

He was indicted Oct. 3 by the St. James Parish Grand Jury on two counts of second-degree murder. Judge John Peytavin of the 23rd Judicial District ruled he should be tried as an adult for the murder on Aug. 17, but a stay order was issued at the same time to permit attorneys to appeal the ruling. The appellate court denied the writ application.

Caldarera’s plea of not guilty by reason of insanity led to a motion to form a sanity commission, which included Dr. Thomas Fain, Dr. Sara deland and parish coroner Dr. Carl Poche.

Poche’s report claimed Caldarera had “appeared to have built up anger toward his parents” who, he claimed, would verbally and physically abuse him. Poche said Caldarera admitted to alcohol and marijuana abuse, beginning at a young age.

Fain concurred in Caldarera’s ability to stand trial.

Deland added controvesy in her report, with the teen-ager’s claims to having been cuffed and chained to his bed for days and beatings with a “pig strap.”

Deland failed to make a recommendation regarding his sanity or ability to stand trial, saying she “needed more information.”