Grand jury refuses to indict in Babineaux killing

A St. Landry Parish Grand Jury on Thursday returned a no true bill in the shooting death of Lance Babineaux, 31, of Eunice.

The jurors declined to indict William Picou, who had been charged with manslaughter in Babineaux's Dec. 20, 2008 death.

It also declined to indict Spencer Hebert, 19, charged with being a principal to manslaughter.

According to police reports at the time, Picou allegedly shot Babineaux more than once with a .45 caliber pistol at the victim's home on North C.C. Duson.

It was alleged that Picou and Babineaux had words at a Eunice bar earlier in the evening and that the accused went to Babineaux's home later.

Judge Donald Hebert received the grand jury's report on Thursday, and ruled bond conditions dismissed against both defendents.

Grand jury deliberations are secret and it is not known what information led to the jurors' conclusion.