BREAKING: Mistrial declared in former mayor’s trial

BREAKING: Mistrial declared in former mayor’s trial

Published 6:51 pm Tuesday, February 3, 2026

The trial of former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts will end in a mistrial, one week after barely getting underway in the 36th Judicial District Court.

The Louisiana Supreme Court denied requests on Tuesday afternoon from both the defense and the prosecution to block the trial court from declaring a mistrial and provide guidance on the list of charges facing the former mayor. That ruling left the decision on whether to proceed up to the Hon. D. Kent Savoie, Ad Hoc.

Last week — and again on Monday — Savoie expressed his desire to declare a mistrial, but stayed that motion to allow the defense to file writs with the Third Circuit and later the Supreme Court. With those now being exhausted, the motion is expected to stand, and a mistrial be formally recorded with the court.

The defense filed its writ based on an opinion last week from the Third Circuit that nullified an August 2025 indictment that introduced a felony charge of indecent behavior with a juvenile against Roberts. She had previously been facing a felony charge of carnal knowledge and a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

As that ruling was issued on Thursday, the state filed a new bill of information with the Beauregard Parish Court that updated the charges facing Roberts to include the debated indecent behavior charge. Roberts’ defense team questioned the validity of the new bill of information and requested another motion to stay while they sought clarification from the appellate court. The Third Circuit’s response upheld the trial court’s
ability to declare a mistrial.

Savoie is expected to recall seated and potential jurors on Wednesday and formally release them.

Jury selection had been underway, but not complete, last week when Roberts’ defense team filed its first writ with the trial court and then the Third Circuit regarding the Aug. 2025 indictment.

The state may now choose to re-file charges against Roberts and seek a new jury and trial.