[US][LA] Wrongful death lawsuit filed against police officer husband of Chanda White Pickney

...The suit states [4 year old] Ethan was at the family's Timberlake subdivision home while his mother, Chanda Pickney, allegedly was held captive and killed in late October... The language in the suit and evidence in the criminal case being developed against Donald Pickney strongly suggest he tortured Chanda for two to three days before she died Oct. 29

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[US][LA] Chanda White's police officer husband (with past accusations) under arrest for her murder - ...Both of the Pickney's were employed at the Alexandria Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Pineville - Donald as a full-time police officer and Chanda as a physician's assistant... Donald Pickney previously served in the Marines, in the the Louisiana National Guard and in law enforcement with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office and the Opelousas Police Department... Paul N. Gennuso, who is retired from the Opelousas Police Department, said he knew both Pickneys well ... and had praise for the victim... "She had a inner beauty that was unbelievable"..

SUIT SEEKS PAYMENT FOR SON OF SLAIN WOODWORTH WOMAN
Alexandria Town Talk?
Billy Gunn
Feb. 15, 2012
[Excerpts] The mother of a Woodworth woman who died last year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Donald Pickney, who is suspected of holding his wife, Chanda Pickney, hostage for days and killing her. The suit filed by Chanda Pickney's mother, Bernadell White, also seeks to collect from two insurance companies Chanda's life insurance proceeds for Ethan Pickney, the 4-year-old son of Chanda and Donald Pickney and the grandson of White. White filed the suit earlier this month in 9th District Court in Alexandria. Bernadell and Andrew White now care for Ethan at their Opelousas home. The suit states Ethan was at the family's Timberlake subdivision home while his mother, Chanda Pickney, allegedly was held captive and killed in late October... The language in the suit and evidence in the criminal case being developed against Donald Pickney strongly suggest he tortured Chanda for two to three days before she died Oct. 29... The lawsuit, which names Donald Pickney as one of the defendants, seeks damages from Pickney. It claims Chanda suffered pain, mental anguish, emotional suffering, shock and grief. It states that before she died, Chanda had a "conscious awareness of her impending death"... Pickney has been charged in a bill of information with manslaughter, but the case will go before a Rapides Parish grand jury where the manslaughter charge could be enhanced and other charges added in an indictment... In a pretrial hearing this month, 9th District Judge Thomas Yeager allowed into evidence crime scene photos taken at the Pickneys' home, including photographs of the couple's bathtub, scratches on the footboard of their bed, blood spots on the bed, a handcuff pouch, bruises behind one of Chanda's ears, injuries in her mouth and on the insides of her calves, according to court records. Chanda Pickney was a physician's assistant at the Alexandria Veterans Administration Medical Center in Pineville, where Donald Pickney was a police officer who patrolled the grounds... Bernadell White seeks damages for Ethan Pickney's loss of a mother's love, guidance, companionship and financial support. White also is pursuing life insurance proceeds from two policies Chanda had at the time of her death. The suit names as defendants the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Fidelity and Guaranty Life Insurance Companies, which the lawsuit says have not paid death benefits. The beneficiary in the policy is Donald Pickney... [Donald Pickney] is a military veteran, a former deputy with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office and a former officer with the Opelousas Police Department. [Full article here]

A FEW ITEMS SINCE THE LAST POST:

Judge grants protective order for Woodworth slaying victim's relatives
thetowntalk.com
By Billy Gunn
November 3, 2011
[Excerpts] A Rapides Parish judge has granted a protective order to the parents and 4-year-old child of a homicide victim believed by police to have been killed by her husband. Andrew and Bernadell White this week filed for the protective order against Donald Pickney of Woodworth, who is suspected of killing Chanda White Pickney. Ninth District Judge Thomas Yeager signed the order Wednesday... Writing in the petition for protective order alludes to some of charges against Donald Pickney. "Between Oct. 27 and Oct. 29, 2011, ... the defendant admitted to striking the minor's mother, handcuffing the minor's mother," according to the petition... Rapides Parish Sheriff's Maj. Jasper Bay said Thursday he would not release more information on the investigation... Bay said detectives don't know exactly how Chanda Pickney was killed, and he would not say what investigators believe was the cause of her death. An autopsy was done on the victim's body on Monday. Bay said the report is weeks away and that more information would be released at a later time... [Full article here]

RPSO Charges Husband In Wife's Death
KALB
Posted: Oct 31, 2011 7:38 AM PST
Updated: Nov 14, 2011 8:43 AM PST
[Excerpts] ...On Saturday, Rapides Parish Sheriff's deputies were called to Cabrini Hospital to investigate a "dead on arrival" patient, 33-year-old Chanda Pickney of Woodworth, who was brought to the hospital by her husband, Donald. "Based on the physical nature of it, things on her body, we felt that we had enough probable cause to arrest her husband in the death of Mrs. Pickney," said Major Jasper Bay, with RPSO. Pickney was arrested and booked into the parish jail where he is being held on $265,000 bond. He's being charged with one count each of 2nd degree battery, false imprisonment and 2nd degree murder.... [Full article here]

EXCERPTS FROM

LEGACY GUEST BOOK COMMENTS

...My condolence to the White family. Ms. White was my provider at the VA Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. Ms. White was a bright and caring person. Not only was she my provider, she was my friend. I would ask about her son on every visit, she was so proud of him. She had a way of showing that she cared about you and your life. I feel very lucky to have known Ms. White. You will be truly missed. Be with God...




...I think of you everyday Chanda, along with all of my young cousins who are with you in heaven...




...R.I.P Chanda - miss you and think about you everyday
co-worker VAMC...




...The news of Ms. White's passing was a shock. The light of one of the most caring and thoughtful people I have ever met has been snuffed out before her time. May she walk in the light of God always...




...To my provider at the VA Hospital.
I will miss you so much my dear friend...




...Truly our prayers are being lifted up to the Lord for this family, our hearts have been deeply touched and Chanda is having an impact on the hearts of so many people, even those that may not have known her very well. She will always be remember as a very quiet, meek and humble person...




...What a beautiful and kind woman, gone too soon. A piece of her is left behind in the form of handsome Ethan. I pray that her beautiful presence is alive each day in Ethan. Dear God, shelter him in your arms and rock him to sleep doing difficult times. When our hearts are heavy, catch our tears...




...A prayer of comfort for your family has been sent to GOD. I will truly miss your smiling face here at the VAMC...




...Chanda White was a chosen one, She choose to live her life helping others and honoring the Lord. She was an angel and a helper to me when I was enrolled in LSUE and we met up again when she was at LSUHSC-Shreveport. I was a much older student and was fortunate to have wonderful people around me like Chanda to help me. I have always admirred her beautiful smile and carrying nature. I want her mother and father to know that it was the younger students like Chanda that helped me to understand Trig, Chemistry, Physics, and many more classes to allow me to be where I am today. She is a true blessing to all around her and always willing to lend a helping hand. I am sure she is in heaven and smilling her sweet smile as she looks over he son. God Bless and take care of your family at this very difficult time...




...We send this message with sad hearts. We will miss Chanda living next door. Her smile will light forever...




...A kind & talented professional. A soft voice & touch. She will be missed. I pray for her family that they may feel God's comfort...




...To the family of Chanda White. I am a VA family employee. Our Lord blessed our VA family with a beautiful sister and fellow co-worker for nearly 6 wonderful years. Previous postings can clearly state pure facts regarding Chanda but I know for sure that she had a spiritual soul made of gold and an outer being made of beauty, kindness & respectfulness. She was a loyal employee sister and a wonderful gift to her patients. Helping others was her mission. God loaned you Chanda, in physical form, for only 33 years but her heart and memories will be with you forever. She will be seen each and every day thru her beautiful son, Ethan. I would personally like to "Thank You" for rearing such a beautiful & respectful person. Our VA family chain, as well as the White family chain, has been broken but rest assure that we will see our beautiful Chanda again. Until then, rest in peace Chanda. To the White family and little Ethan, my prayers are with you as you endure this transitional time. God Bless...




...You are in my heart and prayers. I'm going to miss Chanda very much. She was not only my counselor, co-worker, but my friend. God has blessed me to know such a wonderful angel, Chanda. I love you and may you rest in peace...




...To her baby boy, your mother exemplified what a heart of GOLD means, she will forever be in your heart. Chanda, you will NEVER be forgotten....your beautiful smile still shines in the hearts of all who were so blessed to have met you. I love you, I miss you....rest in peace...




...My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I will miss being Ethan's teacher...




...HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF MY CO-WORKER AT THE VA. SHE WAS A BLESSING TO US AS WELL AS HER PATIENTS AND WE WILL ALL MISS HER. I WILL TRULY MISS HER WALKING BY MY OFFICE EACH MORNING WITH A CHEERFUL "HI"...




...Chanda White was a beautiful person. She made an impact on my life. I can still remember our converstations and how she made me see things more clearly. It's hard to beleive that she is gone from us so soon. No one can replace her, her role has ended. May you rest peacefully with God now Chanda. We will miss you...




...I worked with Chanda at the VA. She was such a beautiful person, inside and out. She touched so many lives and our lives are the better for it. She will be truly missed and will remain in our hearts. I wish her family a peace that surpasses all understanding. I pray for Ethan everyday...




...We are very sorry for your loss. You have our sympathy. Chanda was a great and caring person who will never be forgotten...




...May God be with her family, especially her son, just 4 years old...



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