A Jefferson Parish judge has handed down a 50-year prison sentence to 40-year-old Tyrone Constant for the 2020 attack on a young employee at a pizza business in Harvey. The victim, who was 20 years old at the time of the assault, was attacked with a machete-type knife by Constant—a man she recognized as a customer. According to the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office, the jury returned a guilty verdict on Feb. 5, convicting Constant of attempted second-degree murder for the incident that occurred on May 23, 2020, in the 1600 block of Gretna Boulevard.
The aftermath of the attack has left the victim enduring 16 surgeries, more than 200 doctors' appointments, and 300 physical and occupational therapies, as her mother detailed in victim-impact testimony on Feb. 21. "The aftermath of this entire ordeal is far worse," she said, explaining the extent of the her daughter's physical and psychological trauma. In a statement obtained by the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office, the mother expressed that Constant "left her broken, insecure, literally scarred and scared to live a life outside of her home." The victim's mother lamented the impact on her daughter's outlook on life, stating, "(Constant) not only shattered bones, (he) also shattered her peace and dreams."
Judge Jacqueline Maloney of the 24th Judicial District Court denied defense motions for a new trial and acquittal after the verdict. She proceeded to sentence Constant to the maximum term of 50 years for attempted second-degree murder. Furthermore, Constant's behavior in court did not go unpunished. Maloney imposed two additional 6-month sentences for contempt of court due to outbursts during the trial and the sentencing hearing. These sentences are to run consecutively, leading to a total of 51 years behind bars for Constant, as reported by the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office.
During the trial and subsequent sentencing, Constant showed clear disregard for courtroom protocol, prompting the additional sentences. One of those outbursts occurred during the trial and one during Friday’s sentencing hearing. In a display of judicial firmness, Judge Maloney's sentences reflect both the severity of the crime and the defendant's behavior in her courtroom, as per the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office.
