OPELOUSAS, La. — A judge has denied a motion for sentence reconsideration for convicted St. Landry Parish priest Michael Guidry.
Guidry’s attorney, Kevin Stockstill, was in court on Thursday to argue that the 10-year sentence Guidry received for molesting a juvenile should be reconsidered due to his advanced age and health concerns.
“I’m going to stick to my original sentence,” said 27th Judicial District Judge Alonzo Harris. “I haven’t heard anything that would change my mind.”
Back in April, Guidry was sentenced to 10 years in prison for child molestation, with three years suspended – meaning he will serve as much as seven years in prison. Guidry was transferred to the Dixon Correctional Facility in Jackson in June to begin his sentence.
His attorneys filed a motion for reconsideration of sentence in May, which stated that his sentence “is excessive and disproportionate and a needless imposition of pain and suffering” and therefore a violation of the state Constitution.
Guidry, 76, who most recently served at Saint Peter’s Church in Morrow, pleaded guilty in March to molesting a deacon’s son after giving him alcohol.
As part of his plea deal, Guidry was placed on the sex offender registry.
“We feel the sentence is excessive and we plan to appeal,” Stockstill told KATC after the hearing. “This was a prerequisite step in the appeal process.”
Stockstill introduced evidence to the court that concerned Guidry’s health issues. He stated that they will soon file a formal appeal for Guidry’s conviction with the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Lake Charles in the coming months.
Stockstill said that the appeals process could take upwards of a year for the court to deliver a decision.
Outside the courtroom, friends and supporters of the victim, Oliver Peyton, gathered alongside his family to celebrate the decision.
“They Peyton family is happy with the outcome,” said Alex Peyton, the victim’s older brother who testified at Guidry’s trial. “This brings us happiness and healing. We are ready for the appeal. Good always defeats evil in the end.”
