No charges will be sought after an investigation into an altercation involving Eunice City Marshal Terry Darbonne.
St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz announced that finding in a Christmas Eve news release.
A partial video surfaced of what appeared to be Darbonne pushing his wife down during a verbal altercation, Guidroz stated.
Eunice Police Chief requested the sheriff take over the investigation citing a possible conflict of interest.
“A partial video was anonymously submitted to a local news station and was forwarded to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. The persons in the video were Eunice City Marshal Terry Darbonne, his wife Suzanne Darbonne, Eunice City Marshal Office Clerk Amanda Boulet, and family friend Sherry Siebert,” Guidroz stated.
Guidroz added, “Our detectives obtained audio and video statements from all parties involved and were able to obtain a full video taken from a business located on 2nd Street where the altercation transpired.”
Guidroz stated, “The full video depicts Suzanne Darbonne as the predominant aggressor striking Marshal Darbonne prior to and moments before he pushes her away causing her to lose her balance and fall backward. Suzanne Darbonne is seen on video waiting in her vehicle in the city hall parking lot then approaching the group in an aggressive manner. She is seen trying to attack Darbonne, Boulet, and Siebert all the while Marshal Darbonne trying to place himself between them several times to stop her.”
Guidroz continued, “All persons involved were questioned as a result of what is seen and heard on the video. The partial video although not edited, does not show the actions of his wife prior to Marshal Darbonne pushing her away and restraining her from attacking the others. In the full video, Suzanne Darbonne is seen striking Marshal Darbonne seconds before and continually trying to fight with Darbonne, Siebert, and Boulet. After Suzanne falls, a crack is heard on both videos. This was caused by the breakage of her glasses on her head which she is seen grabbing for when she falls and the possibility of her wrist being fractured at the same time of the fall. According to her medical records, her head did not receive any lacerations, contusions, or fractures.
“Marshal Darbonne is seen prior to and after yelling at his wife in disgust with her actions. After the fall, Suzanne Darbonne appears to lay helpless and unconscious, Suzanne Darbonne is telling them that she was sorry for her actions and that she was alright and to just leave her alone for a while. This was collaborated by all statements including Suzanne’s and the full video.
“What is not seen in the partial video but is seen in the full video is Marshal Darbonne telling Siebert and Boulet to let her be for a while. Boulet is seen talking to Suzanne checking on her wellbeing. Suzanne then got up and told Boulet that she thought her wrist was broken and they helped her on the bench. Marshal Darbonne, his wife Suzanne, Boulet, and Siebert then stayed together at the bench for 11 minutes talking to each other while other friends joined the group. Suzanne complained that her wrist was hurting and went to Marshal Darbonne’s home where Boulet wrapped her wrist; Darbonne later went to the hospital to seek medical attention.”
Guidroz continued, “Suzanne Darbonne stated to detectives that she and the group were watching the LSU football game in town. She was drinking alcohol while taking prescribed medications which made the effects of the alcohol worse. She left the game and got upset that it was taking the group too long to clean up. She returned to the area and noticed Marshal Darbonne walking with two women loading the vehicle and got out of her vehicle to confront them. She struck Marshal Darbonne repeatedly just prior to her being pushed away and falling. Suzanne Darbonne stated that they are all mutual friends and says that the combination of alcohol and medications impaired her judgment when she saw her husband with two females.
“Boulet and Siebert had the same account as Suzanne Darbonne. Marshal Darbonne added that he and his wife are going through a divorce and it was the first time that they were in public as a separated couple. Marshal Darbonne stated he was under the impression that the divorce was amicable between him and Suzanne. Marshal Darbonne advised they both were utilizing the same attorney and it was agreed that both parties would settle the community property without any controversy. Marshal Darbonne stated he did not want to report the incident because of the shame it would cause to his future ex-wife and his kids.
“The video depiction of the incident corresponds with the rendition of the incident reiterated from all the parties involved. The video also depicts Suzanne Darbonne as the aggressor and depicts Marshal Darbonne defending himself. It also corroborates Marshal Darbonne’s assertion as not having any means or outlet to retreat from the incident. Marshal Darbonne also asserted that he remained at the location of the incident out of fear that Suzanne would inflict violence on Amanda Boulet or Sherry Siebert. After reviewing all interviews, statements, and both videos no evidence that Marshal Terry Darbonne committed any applicable criminal statutes. No one involved wished to file charges on any parties involved,” the statement concluded.
The incident coincided with the LSU-Alabama game on Nov. 9.
