District attorney believes Baton Rouge judge gave out a wrong ruling

John Rupolo
·2 min read
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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The East Baton Rouge Parish district attorney is reviewing a Baton Rouge judge’s ruling that he believes is wrong.

BRProud obtained surveillance video of Texas-based attorney Christian King lighting his ex-girlfriend’s Baton Rouge home on fire in January 2023.

Breanna Jones has a child with King and also had a restraining order against him at the time. Investigative Reporter John Rupolo spoke with Jones after the incident.

“I knew something was going to happen eventually that’s why I was very vigilant with reporting everything, but I would never have imagined a fire,” said Jones.

King was charged with violating a restraining order and aggravated arson. Fast forward to this week, as part of a plea deal, King pleaded guilty to aggravated arson. The restraining order violation was dismissed.

Judge Eboni Johnson Rose sentenced King to 20 years with 17 of those suspended. He was given credit for time served and was set to be released in September.

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But that sentence was vacated after the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office took a closer look at the judge’s sentencing.

District Attorney Hillar Moore released a statement regarding Judge Rose’s sentencing.

“The sentence that was imposed was not allowed and the defendant was allowed to withdraw his plea and the sentence was vacated.”

District Attorney Hillar Moore

Several of Judge Rose’s rulings have been under scrutiny. Most recently, the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office is appealing former Baton Rouge police officer Donald Streele’s flip-flop verdict.

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Judge Rose found him guilty of a crime that didn’t exist and then ruled him innocent. Rose is also running for a seat on the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana.

Jones released a statement about King’s sentence being vacated.

“I am honestly tired. When I was reading my victim impact statement, Judge Rose had no empathy for my pain, she already had her mind made up to let an abuser walk free with a slap on the wrist. I am thankful that the DA caught the mistake that was made but seeing how there was a pile of evidence and a history of domestic violence and she was still willing to give him such a lenient sentence, I do not have any hope for the upcoming trial.”

Breanna Jones

King is scheduled for trial on Aug. 5, 2024.

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