Morgan City, Louisiana — In a tense courtroom drama, a jury weighed the case of Lyndsey Rickman’s husband, who has been emotionally impacted by the untimely death of their child, Mica. During cross-examination, attorney Ward challenged Pastor Miller on whether his actions contributed to the closure of his church. Miller recounted that prior to the protests related to the family’s loss, his church was generating approximately $25,000 per service, and he earned a monthly salary of $4,000. However, following the upheaval, his salary had plummeted to $2,100.
Ward questioned Miller’s judgment, pointing out the timing of his wife’s death announcement at a sermon and a date he went on just days later. Miller clarified that the date was with his current wife, Suzie, and that the outing was meant to be a group event but ended up being attended only by them.
Further scrutiny emerged regarding Miller’s financial situation. Ward inquired about how he managed to fulfill child support obligations exceeding $1,000 while earning substantially less. In his defense, Miller indicated that his wife’s stable income assisted him in meeting those financial responsibilities.
After receiving the case just before 6 p.m., the jury was instructed by Judge Hutson to deliberate for about an hour. If no decision was reached, they would reconvene the following morning. At 7 p.m., the jurors requested clarification on an element of the case, prompting Hutson to schedule a follow-up for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, allowing the jury ample time to reach a verdict.
On Tuesday morning, the jury expressed a desire to review video evidence presented during the trial. However, before any resolution could be formalized, they ultimately delivered their verdict sooner than expected.
Following the decision, Rickman expressed relief and satisfaction, viewing the outcome as a significant triumph for his late child, Mica. His attorney, Ward, previously advocated for moving the case to the circuit court, where financial damages could potentially be higher. In the magistrate court, awards are limited to $7,500.
Despite the limitations, Ward noted that for Rickman, the case was never merely about monetary compensation. It was about ensuring accountability for Miller’s actions during a distressing period for the family.
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