Daniel Callihan was arraigned in Amite on Monday afternoon and entered a not-guilty plea to a variety of charges, including double homicide.
According to District Attorney Scott Perrilloux, the district attorney will pursue the death penalty against Callihan, 36, who is accused of the murders of Callie Brunett and her three-year-old daughter, Erin. Additionally, he is charged with the abduction of Jalie Brunett, a six-year-old. The Loranger region is the source of all the victims.
District D Judge Brian Abels has scheduled the initial pre-trial motion for 9 a.m. on August 21. Following the arraignment, Perrilloux, who submitted the notice to pursue the death penalty this week, informed The Daily Star that he had engaged in discussions with the Brunetts and that “they are in agreement” with the capital murder charge.
Kerry Cuccia, the defense attorney, stated that the arraignment proceeded as anticipated, and that “we are now entering the pre-trial motions of the case.”
Perrilloux stated that the “best case scenario” for the commencement of the trial is approximately 18 months.
Prior to his arraignment, Callihan was arrested and lodged in the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on Monday. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping of a child, one count of second-degree kidnapping, one count of armed robbery, one count of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, one count of simple arson, two counts of theft of a firearm, and one count of burglary of a residence.
The issue of jurisdiction remains unresolved, as the U.S. Attorney’s Office Louisiana Eastern District, Mississippi, and Louisiana have all asserted jurisdiction. Louisiana is the initial jurisdiction to arraign Callihan; however, Perrilloux acknowledged that he has no control over the federal and Mississippi cases.
Additionally, he acknowledged that he does not perceive any form of resolution at this time.
Perrilloux stated, “We are only able to manage our portion of the situation at this time, and our objective is to progress.” “I am unable to represent the other jurisdictions.” I was optimistic that they would perceive this as a matter that originated in this location and would be more effectively addressed there.
“That has not occurred to this point, so everyone is progressing.”Perrilloux stated that he has not contacted the district attorney’s office in Jackson, Mississippi, but has engaged in numerous discussions with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“In this instance, they also felt the need to (initiate) the case,” he stated, noting that the U.S. Attorney’s Office could potentially claim jurisdiction.
“It seems that everyone is simply progressing,” he stated. “That is my intention; I will continue to progress in Tangipahoa Parish.”
Cuccia stated that he is representing Callihan in the Louisiana case and is not involved in the Mississippi case. However, Cuccia stated that the federal public defender who will be representing Callihan on the federal allegations has requested his assistance, and as a result, he will also be involved in that case.
Perrilloux stated that he has previously been involved in cases that involved multiple jurisdictions. He stated that it is generally agreed upon by all parties involved to determine the optimal outcome.
“In this instance, the outcome has not been as satisfactory as I had anticipated,” Perrilloux stated. “We are not in control of everything.” I have previously stated that this is a local matter.
He described the homicides and abductions as “horrific,” a crime that the DA stated is not frequently observed in the parish. He stated that the case has had a significant impact on a significant number of individuals in the Loranger community.
He further stated that the Brunett family has been “overwhelmed” by the volume of media coverage. Callihan is currently being held in Plaquemines Parish by the U.S. Marshals Service. The courtroom was closed until just prior to the commencement of the hearing at 1 p.m.
Victoria Cox, who is purportedly Callihan’s accomplice, has also been indicted in Mississippi on accusations of capital murder, kidnapping, and sexual battery.
