State of Louisiana Versus Davana Clofer Tripps Kerrian Javana Clofer

STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 20-K-291 C/W
20-K-305
VERSUS
FIFTH CIRCUIT
KERRIAN JAVANA CLOFER
DAVANA CLOFER TRIPPS COURT OF APPEAL

C/W STATE OF LOUISIANA

STATE OF LOUISIANA

VERSUS

DAVANA CLOFER TRIPPS
KERRIAN JAVANA CLOFER

May 04, 2021

Susan Buchholz
First Deputy Clerk

IN RE STATE OF LOUISIANA

APPLYING FOR SUPERVISORY WRIT FROM THE FORTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT,
PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE
MADELINE JASMINE, DIVISION "A", NUMBER 15,274

Panel composed of Judges Susan M. Chehardy,
Robert A. Chaisson, and Stephen J. Windhorst

WRITS GRANTED, REMANDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS

Relator, the State of Louisiana, seeks this Court’s supervisory review of the
trial court’s ruling that granted defendant Javana Tripps’ motion to sever her trial
from that of her daughter, Kerrian Clofer, as well as the trial court’s rulings that
denied the State’s motion in limine to designate evidence as res gestae, or in the
alternative, notice of evidence under La. C.E. 404(B). The trial court granted
defendant’s motion to sever before considering the State’s motion in limine, as
seen by the fact that the trial court entered separate judgments on the State’s
motion in limine—one for the charges against Davana Tripps (40th JDC No. 2015-
CR-274 (1)), and another for the charge against Kerrian Clofer (40th JDC No.
2015-CR-274 (2)). We consolidated the State’s two writ applications seeking
review of these three judgments for consideration.

As to the State’s motion in limine (20-K-305), although the State attached
the evidence it purports to introduce at trial to its motion in limine, the transcript of
the March 11, 2020 hearing reveals that the State failed to offer, file, and introduce
into evidence the pertinent exhibits. While a full evidentiary hearing is not

20-K-291 C/W 20-K-305

mandated when determining the admissibility of other crimes evidence, see State v.
Taylor, 16-1124, 16-1183 (La. 12/1/16), 217 So.3d 283, 292, we decline to review
the propriety of the trial court’s ruling in this particular instance without the
evidence properly entered into the record. Accordingly, we grant the State’s writ
application in 20-K-305, vacate both of the trial court’s judgments entered on the
State’s motion in limine, and remand to the trial court to conduct a new hearing.
See State v. Pigott, 18-598 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1/24/19), 2019 WL 322837 (granting
writ and remanding to reopen hearing for State to offer, file, and introduce into
evidence the exhibits at issue on State’s notices of intent to use other crimes
evidence and res gestae evidence); State v. Durning, 16-737 (La. App. 5 Cir.
1/17/17) (unpub.) (granting writ to allow State to properly offer, file, and introduce
into evidence two consent judgments related to the State’s res gestae notice).

As to defendant Tripps’ motion to sever (20-K-291), La. C.Cr.P. art. 704
provides: “Jointly indicted defendants shall be tried jointly unless: … (2) The
court, on motion of the defendant, and after contradictory hearing with the district
attorney, is satisfied that justice requires a severance.” Because the trial court’s
determination as to the State’s motion in limine affects its decision as to whether
justice requires severance under La. C.C.P. art. 704(2), we also grant the State’s
writ application in 20-K-291, vacate the trial court’s judgment granting defendant
Tripps’ motion to sever, and remand with instructions to conduct a new hearing
subsequent to the trial court’s ruling on the State’s motion in limine.

Gretna, Louisiana, this 4th day of May, 2021.

SMC
SJW

2

STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 20-K-291 C/W
20-K-305
VERSUS
FIFTH CIRCUIT
KERRIAN JAVANA CLOFER
DAVANA CLOFER TRIPPS COURT OF APPEAL

C/W STATE OF LOUISIANA

STATE OF LOUISIANA

VERSUS

DAVANA CLOFER TRIPPS
KERRIAN JAVANA CLOFER

CHAISSON, J., DISSENTS IN PART.
I respectfully dissent from the majority’s conclusion that the trial court’s

ruling on the State’s “Motion in Limine to Designate Evidence as Res Gestae, or in

the Alternative, Notice of Evidence under La. C.E. art. 404(B),” needs to be

vacated and the matter remanded for a new hearing in order to afford the State the

opportunity to properly introduce the evidence relating to its motion. Although the

State did not formally introduce the exhibits in support of its motion in limine, it

did submit the evidence, including police reports and certified copies of

convictions from Calcasieu Parish, to the trial court. See State v. Taylor, 16-1124,

16-1183 (La. 12/1/16), 217 So.3d 283. Based on the evidence presented, the trial

court denied the State’s motion in limine and issued judgments with reasons for its

ruling as to each defendant, noting as to both that the probative value of the

evidence was outweighed by its prejudicial effect. Absent an abuse of discretion, a

trial court’s ruling on the admissibility of evidence pursuant to La. C.E. art.

404(B)(1) will not be disturbed. State. v. Carter, 15-99 (La. App. 5 Cir. 7/29/15),

171 So.3d 1265, 1280, writ denied, 15-1618 (La. 10/17/16), 207 So.3d 1068. In

20-K-291 C/W 20-K-305

the present case, I find no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s ruling on the

State’s motion in limine.

RAC

2

SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL

CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT

NANCY F. VEGA
FREDERICKA H. WICKER
CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
JUDE G. GRAVOIS
MARC E. JOHNSON
ROBERT A. CHAISSON SUSAN BUCHHOLZ
STEPHEN J. WINDHORST
FIRST DEPUTY CLERK
HANS J. LILJEBERG
JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIFTH CIRCUIT
MELISSA C. LEDET
JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053)
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF
POST OFFICE BOX 489
GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400

(504) 376-1498 FAX
www.fifthcircuit.org

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY
I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE DISPOSITION IN THE FOREGOING MATTER HAS BEEN
TRANSMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 4-6 THIS
DAY 05/04/2021 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, THE TRIAL COURT CLERK OF COURT, AND AT LEAST ONE OF
THE COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR EACH PARTY, AND TO EACH PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY
COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:

20-K-291
C/W 20-K-305
E-NOTIFIED
40th District Court (Clerk)
Honorable Madeline Jasmine (DISTRICT JUDGE)
Honorable Vercell Fiffie (DISTRICT JUDGE)
Lisa M. Parker (Respondent) Honorable Bridget A. Dinvaut (Relator)
Nghana L. Gauff (Respondent) William R. Dieters (Relator)
Justin B. LaCour (Relator)

MAILED