Breaux Bridge man found guilty of mother-in-law's murder, attempted murder of wife, father-in-law
ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (KLFY) -- A jury found a Breaux Bridge man guilty of the November 2020 murder of his mother-in-law and the attempted murder of his wife and father-in-law, District Attorney Bo Duhé announced.
Nathan Simon was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Roxanne Hawthorne and two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of Jennifer Simon and Charles Young.
According to a news release, the mandatory sentence for first-degree murder is life imprisonment at hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. Sentencing for attempted first-degree murder ranges from 10 to 50 years at hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
His sentencing hearing is currently set for Jan. 6 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Keith R.J. Comeaux.
Per the news release, the charges against Nathan stem from a shooting that occurred at his in-law's home in November 2020.
Authorities said Jennifer and her children moved into her parents' home after Nathan was physically and mentally abusive to her.
On Nov. 9, 2020, Nathan broke into his in-laws' home and threatened Jennifer with a firearm and then shot her in the hip. Authorities said Jennifer's mother, Hawthorne, responded to Jennifer's screams but was shot once by Nathan when she entered the room. Jennifer's stepfather, Young, was shot twice when he attempted to help the women.
Hawthorne died from her injuries. Jennifer and Young survived and were able to testify at Nathan's trial.
Authorities said that at the time of the deadly shooting, Nathan had outstanding warrants for domestic abuse aggravated assault and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact your local law enforcement agency or family violence crisis center.
In St. Mary, Assumption, Iberia, and St. Martin parishes, Chez Hope assists victims of domestic
violence; their crisis hotline number is 1-888-411-1333 and their website is www.chezhope.org.