Gibson responds to lawsuit claims

On Wednesday, Crowley Chief of Police K.P. Gibson responded to claims made in a civil rights lawsuit filed by Amy Leblanc, wife of the late Melvin Leblanc.
On Aug. 11, 2014, police were called to Melvin LeBlanc’s home after receiving a call that he was depressed and had threatened to commit suicide
After leaving Leblanc with friends, police were called back to the scene when Leblanc became “increasingly more erratic.” The lawsuit also claims that “although there were four units on the scene, there was no video or audio recording of the incident.”
The lawsuit also claimed that after kicking in the door and asking Leblanc to come out, the suspect fired a weapon, resulting in the police returning fire. Two of the bullets struck Leblanc, according to the lawsuit, but were non-life threatening. The lawsuit states that a third bullet was fired while Leblanc was on the ground “execution style.”
“This matter has been investigated by the Louisiana State Police and the facts of the case were presented to the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office,” said Gibson. “As a result of their investigation, the District Attorney’s office did not find any criminal violations, thus the officers were cleared by an outside and independent investigation.”
Gibson also questioned the timing of the lawsuit, noting that he is a candidate for the office of Acadia Parish Sheriff in the Oct. 24.
“This matter has additional intentions,” he said, “if you look at who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiff and the timing of my upcoming election.”
Amy Leblanc’s attorney is Clay LeJeune.