In a recent decision by a Jefferson Parish judge, a man received a lengthy prison sentence for a violent offense at a West Bank pizza establishment. Tyrone Constant, a 40-year-old resident of Harvey, was given a 50-year sentence for the attempted second-degree murder of a 20-year-old employee during an attack that took place on May 23, 2020, inside a pizza business located in the 1600 block of Gretna Boulevard. Constant's conviction was the outcome of a jury trial held on Feb. 5, as reported by the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office.
The trial revealed that the victim was acquainted with Constant, recognizing him by his first name from previous visits he made to the business. She had not done anything to provoke the brutal assault, which involved a machete-type knife. During a victim-impact statement on Feb. 21, the victim's mother detailed the extensive aftermath her daughter faced, which included 16 surgeries, over 200 doctors' appointments, and 300 sessions of physical and occupational therapy, in addition to emotional trauma. "The aftermath of this entire ordeal is far worse," the mother said. She also noted how Constant "left her broken, insecure, literally scarred and scared to live a life outside of her home," as obtained by the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office.
During sentencing, Judge Jacqueline Maloney of the 24th Judicial District Court denied the defense's request for a new trial or acquittal. She sentenced Constant to the maximum 50 years for attempted second-degree murder. Additionally, she added two 6-month sentences for his outbursts in court—one during the trial and another during the sentencing hearing. These sentences will run consecutively, totaling 51 years in prison for Constant, as per the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office.
The severity of the sentence reflects the gravity of Constant's crime and the impact it had on the victim's life. As stated by the victim's mother in her testimony, the daughter's very essence of being was altered: she "no longer shines as bright as she did before the attack," as reported by the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office.
