The Lafayette man accused in the shooting death of Cpl. Michael Middlebrook appeared in court again on Tuesday.
Ian Howard’s attorneys had filed several motions in the case, including requests to the state for any potential conflicts of interests involving the prosecutors, rap sheets for potential witnesses in the case and any favorable evidence, among others.
Prosecutors had filed responses in late March. They declined to respond to much of the requests, noting the state is not required to respond in writing to any of the defense motions is not required to provide the witness rap sheets — as they amount to a witness list that would be furnished closer to trial.
Prosecutors also noted they had not promised any "information or deal" for "favorable treatment" to anyone who would cooperate in their case. They also stated that no one on the prosecution side has any conflicts of interest in the proceedings.
A bill of particulars filed last month in the case also gives a narrative on the Oct. 1 crimes.
According to prosecutors, Howard shot a man in the shoulder and a second man in the buttocks at the Big Boyz store on Moss Street. He then fled the scene in his vehicle but returned multiple times, prosecutors allege.
When Middlebrook arrived, Howard had armed himself with a second gun and shot the officer from inside the store, and he shot at a second responding officer as he fled the scene, prosecutors claim in the court filing.
Another motions hearing is set for Aug. 7 in the first-degree murder case. A trial date has not been set.
A second case on three counts of attempted first-degree murder — charges stemming from the two people Howard shot and the second officer Howard shot at that night — is set for trial on Sept. 24, although unforeseen delays could derail the date.
