State of Louisiana Versus Donald Warden

STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 25-K-353

VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT

DONALD WARDEN COURT OF APPEAL

STATE OF LOUISIANA

August 18, 2025

Susan Buchholz
Chief Deputy Clerk

ON APPLICATION FOR REHEARING

Panel composed of Jude G. Gravois,
Marc E. Johnson, and Scott U. Schlegel

DENIED WITHOUT REASONS

JGG
SUS

DISSENTS IN PART WITH REASONS

MEJ

STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 25-K-353

VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT

DONALD WARDEN COURT OF APPEAL

STATE OF LOUISIANA

JOHNSON, J., DISSENTS IN PART WITH REASONS

I would grant the rehearing for the limited purpose of reviewing, on

briefs only, the merits of the whether the trial court abused its discretion by

excluding the text messages between the victims’ grandmother and their

mother. In all other respects, I agree that the application for rehearing

should be denied.

SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL

CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT

SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ
FREDERICKA H. WICKER
CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
JUDE G. GRAVOIS
MARC E. JOHNSON
STEPHEN J. WINDHORST LINDA M. TRAN
JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR.
FIRST DEPUTY CLERK
SCOTT U. SCHLEGEL
TIMOTHY S. MARCEL 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 08/18/2025 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:

25-K-353
E-NOTIFIED

Steven F. Griffith, Sr. (Relator)

MAILED
Louis G. Authement (Respondent) Honorable Joel T. Chaisson, II
Attorney at Law (Respondent)
13919 River Road Payal Patel (Respondent)
Suite 300 Assistant District Attorney
Luling, LA 70070 Twenty-Ninth Judicial District Court
Post Office Box 680
Hahnville, LA 70057