Amite, USA - The former pastor of Hosanna Church in Ponchatoula has pleaded not guilty to charges that he and other church members repeatedly raped three children under 12, and prosecutors said he will not face the death penalty.
Louis Lamonica entered the not guilty plea during his arraignment Wednesday. Assistant Distict Attorney Don Wall then told the court the state will not seek the death penalty during Lamonica's trial on charges of aggravated rape of children.
Lamonica's defense attorney said he doubts the authenticity of Lamonica's confessions to law enforcement officers. A detective who investigated the case testified that doctors who examined the children allegedly involved could find no physical evidence they had been sexually abused.
After the hearing, Lamonica's attorney Michael Thiel said he found it hard to believe that there is no medical evidence of the alleged rapes, especially considering how young some of the children were when the alleged abuse started.
Thiel said he believes the confession was coerced and will not be supported.
Yet Wall said Lamonica's confession and the statements of the children make a strong case for the state despite the lack of medical evidence.
Lamonica and six others were indicted June 24 on various counts of aggravated rape.
Wall said he's talking to attorneys for two women, who have not been formally charged in the case, about a potential deal in exchange for testimony against the others.