FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE # 021

FROM: CLERK OF SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA

On the 7th day of March, 1997 , the following action was taken by the Supreme Court of Louisiana in the case(s) listed below:

BY KIMBALL, J. :

96-KA- 0697 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. LEONARD HART, JR. (Parish of Washington) (First Degree Murder)

For the reasons assigned, we set aside Defendant's first degree murder conviction and death sentence and remand for entry of judgment of guilty to second degree murder and sentencing of Defendant to life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence as provided for in La. R.S. 14:30.1(B). CONVICTION AND DEATH SENTENCE SET ASIDE; REMANDED TO THE DISTRICT COURT FOR ENTRY OF JUDGMENT OF GUILTY OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND SENTENCING OF DEFENDANT TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR WITHOUT BENEFIT OF PAROLE, PROBATION, OR SUSPENSION OF SENTENCE.

TRAYLOR, J. - not on panel. Rule IV, Part 2, 3.

KNOLL, J. - dissents and assigns reasons.