Bertrand gets life, no parole

Kerry Wayne Bertrand received the mandatory sentence of life with hard labor without the benefit of parole for the second-degree murder of Skylar Credeur in August 2013.
“I would go into detail about how cruel and callous it was ... what you did, but your sentence is set,” said 15th Judicial District Judge Kristian Earles, who presided over the week-long trial.
Bertrand, appearing before the court in a red prison jumpsuit and shackles for the first time during the trial, attempted to address the courtroom.
“I would like to speak about the details of that day ... ,” he said with a shaken voice before apparently being asked to remain silent by his attorney, Thomas Alonzo.
When Bertrand again tried to speak to address the courtroom, Earles quickly stopped him.
“Anything you have should have been presented during your trial,” said Earles. “I am not looking at any more evidence at this point.”
Earles asked Alonzo if his client understood that “he had two years in which to appeal the verdict.”
Alonzo stated that Bertrand was aware and that he would be filing a notice of appeal on his behalf.
Many of Credeur’s family members wept as they left the courtroom.
When Assistant District Attorney Burleigh Doga, who represented the state during the trial, was asked to comment on the verdict, he responded, “The verdict speaks for itself. He was convicted with second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life without parole.”