Couple plead guilty to manslaughter in connection with 2018 deadly shooting

Published 5:31 am Monday, September 27, 2021

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On September 23, 2021, moments prior to the start of a scheduled jury trial, 27-year-old Kirkpatrick Morrison and 25-year-old Lauren Donaldson both of 39124 West Lane Prairieville, LA, pled guilty to the charge of Manslaughter in connection with the 2018 shooting death of 23-year-old Christopher Goudeau of Gonzales. Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Dupaty was the lead prosecutor on this case, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Alvin Turner Jr.

          During the early morning hours of June 12, 2018, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence located on Black Bayou Rd. in Gonzales in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located Christopher Goudeau inside a bedroom closet suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Shortly after, Goudeau was pronounce deceased.

          During interviews, detectives learned that Donaldson had engaged in a conversation with Goudeau via social media where she agreed to engage in sexual intercourse with Goudeau in exchange for narcotics and cash. Donaldson admitted to detectives that she and her fiancé, Morrison, planned to rob Goudeau. Upon entering the residence, Morrison became irate and engaged in a physical altercation with Goudeau. Witnesses advised that at this time, Donaldson jumped on Goudeau. Donaldson was pulled off of Goudeau and it was at this time she instructed Morrison to shoot Goudeau. Morrison then fired multiple gunshots striking Goudeau. Morrison admitted to detectives that he was in fact the shooter. Both Morrison and Donaldson were subsequently arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail.

          Upon entering a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges, pursuant to the plea agreement with prosecutors, both Morrison and Donaldson were sentenced to 35 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.  

 Submitted by Public Information Officer Tyler Cavalier for 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky L. Babin.