On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, The Advocate reported that a Lafayette judge stepped down from overseeing three cases tied to a double murder at a local barbershop. Fifteenth Judicial District Judge Royale Colbert recused himself after unintentionally hearing details about the August 2024 killings, citing judicial ethics to ensure impartiality.
The shootings occurred on August 31, 2024, at approximately 9 a.m. at a barbershop on Louisiana Avenue. Two victims, Johnny Trailer Jr., a 48-year-old barber, and Quincy Duhon, 19, were fatally shot. Authorities arrested three suspects: Shylon Mouton, 18; Jeffery Broussard, 18; and Abram Landry, 24. Mouton and Landry face charges of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Broussard is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
During a bond hearing for Landry, Colbert revealed he had been a longtime patron of the barbershop. While there, he overheard a conversation between two unidentified individuals discussing the murders, exposing him to information inappropriate for a presiding judge. To avoid any appearance of bias, Colbert announced his recusal from all three cases. A new judge will be assigned to the cases.
Separately, Colbert is under scrutiny by the Louisiana Judiciary Commission following an April hearing regarding two unrelated incidents. Assistant special counsel John Keeling recommended censure, and a commission member emphasized that Colbert is bound by judicial conduct rules at all times. The commission has yet to release its final decision on the matter.
Source: The Advocate
