By LEONARD GRAY – Managing Editor

HAHNVILLE – Calvin Couvillion, 24, faced a possible 40-year sentence for the manslaughter of a LaPlace teen-ager, more than two years ago. Friday afternoon, he received 25 years for the death of Jim Rogers.

The sentence was handed down by a sometimes-tearful 29th Judicial District Judge Robert Chaisson.

Couvillion was tried for second-degree murder in February and faced a potential life sentence in prison. However, the trial jury unanimously decided on the lesser charge.

Rogers’ surviving family members did not speak with reporters following the sentencing.

During the hearing, Rogers’ mother, Sharon, confronted Couvillion and told him, “You could have been a hero. Jim had no chance to survive.”

Rogers’ father, LaPlace veterinarian Dr. Wayne Rogers, declared Couvillion had no remorse, respect or truth. “Even Brandon Stein said he was sorry. I never heard that coming out of your mouth,” Rogers said.

Rogers’ grandmother, Lucy Cambre, added, “Now, I know what a broken heart is.”

Members of Couvillion’s family spoke on his behalf and said he was raised in a religious family and is sorry for his mistakes. “Calvin has a good family with good values. He’s not a bum,” Al Couvillion, his father, said.

Finally, from the stand, Couvillion said he was sorry and asked for forgiveness, his voice breaking.

After the hearing, Couvillion’s attorney, Randy Lewis of Luling, said, “It was a hard, hard case. The judge did his best, and now it’s in the hands of the Court of Appeal.”

Lewis briefly outlined his planned grounds for appeal, reiterating testimony from Couvillion’s trial that Rogers, 17, may actually have died of exposure following his being strangled by Brandon Stein during a drug-and-alcohol party at Couvillion’s home in Paradis and dropped off an Interstate 310 overpass into the marsh adjoining Airline Drive on Mardi Gras night, 2002.

“More than likely, he died of exposure or succumbed to his injuries,” Lewis said, pointing to post-mortem lividity and indications that Rogers may have physically moved after his fall into the marsh, according to Dr. Gerald Liuzza’s testimony.

Also, still to face trial, are Tracy Caillett, 20, of 916 Gassen St., Luling, who is Couvillion’s girlfriend and with whom he has two children, a son and daughter; and Terrel J. Gisclair, 19, of 14882 Old Spanish Trail, Paradis. Each face charges of accessory after the fact of second-degree murder.

Stein, who had befriended Rogers, confessed during his own trial last March to killing Rogers, choking him to death with a belt on the night of Feb. 12, 2002.

A jury took three and a half hours to decide he had specific intent and convicted Stein of second-degree murder. Stein is now serving a mandatory life sentence after his conviction in March 2003. Prudhomme’s case has been handled in juvenile court and no further information is available.

Stein and his cousin, Timothy Prudhomme, both of Reserve, along with Rogers, all went to Couvillion’s home in Paradis that night for a night of drugs and drinking.

Prudhomme testified during Couvillion’s trial that he saw Stein grab Rogers in a headlock and then whip his belt around his neck, to drag him toward a bedroom, in an effort to keep Rogers from leaving the party.

As Stein and Rogers moved backwards through the living room, the struggling pair allegedly knocked Couvillion, who then “reacted” and hit Rogers several times in the face and body.

By the time the three reached the bedroom, Rogers was possibly already dead, according to Couvillion’s testimony.

Stein enlisted Couvillion and Prudhomme to load Rogers in a pickup truck. Stein then allegedly dropped Rogers off an Interstate 310 ramp near Airline Drive, where it was located three days later.

Later, Couvillion allegedly enlisted Gisclair and Cailliet to help provide an alibi for him. Their trial dates have not yet been set, according to the district attorney’s office.