State v. Gray

The State of Louisiana (plaintiff) charged Deonta and Jonta Gray (defendants) with the attempted second-degree murder of a taxi driver. Before Deonta and Jonta were arrested, Deonta’s aunt, Keyanta, arranged a meeting between Deonta, Jonta, and Keyanta’s minister, Reverend Jeffrey Woolridge. Keyanta told Woolridge that he was meeting with Deonta and Jonta to speak about a matter and to “lead them to Christ.” Keyanta, Deonta, Jonta, and Woolridge all attended the meeting. Jonta did not speak during the meeting, but Deonta told Woolridge that he and Jonta called a taxi driver intending to rob the driver and then shot the taxi driver when he arrived. Woolridge called his superior pastor, related the information from Deonta, and asked for advice. Deonta said nothing during the call. The pastor told Woolridge to notify the authorities. Woolridge prayed with Deonta, Jonta, and Keyanta and ended the meeting. According to Woolridge, Deonta seemed interested in changing his life. Woolridge subsequently gave a statement to police based on Deonta’s confession during the meeting. Before trial, Deonta filed a motion to suppress Woolridge’s statement, asserting that his statements to Woolridge were protected by the clergyman privilege in Article 511 of the Louisiana Code of Evidence. The trial court granted the motion to suppress, but the appellate court reversed. The trial court then denied the motion, finding, among other things, that Deonta had no expectation of privacy when he approached Woolridge. After appellate review, remand, and further appellate review, the appellate court ultimately held that the statement should be suppressed. The state sought review from the Louisiana Supreme Court.