Former Baton Rouge officer acquitted of malfeasance in office charge
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A former Baton Rouge police officer was acquitted Thursday after being found guilty of malfeasance in office in March.
Court records show Donald Steele Jr., 37, was found guilty of malfeasance in office but not guilty of a kidnapping charge.
In March, one of Steele’s attorneys, Franz Borghardt, noted that Steele was convicted of a misdemeanor of malfeasance in office, which doesn’t exist, according to Louisiana state law.
On Wednesday, March 27, Judge Eboni Johnson Rose met with the state and defense counsel to clarify the verdict as legal authorities were requested to assist in the deliberation, District Attorney Hillar Moore said. She requested that both counsels file a legal memorandum by April 5.
She admitted in court she made a mistake in her verdict last month.
Steele was accused of making sexual advances toward a 19-year-old woman during a traffic stop in 2021. According to arrest documents, Steele told her she was drinking and driving before telling her she wouldn’t be getting a ticket because she was cute.
Steele reportedly told her to follow his car to an abandoned warehouse near a downtown casino. An affidavit said he sexually assaulted the victim.
The defense team released the following statement:
The judge’s decision confirms that we always knew and fought for. Donald Steele is innocent. Reports to the contrary were premature and did not take into account the Court’s determination that no sexual battery occurred. The State does not have the right to appeal an acquittal. In the event they attempt to, we look forward to maintaining the Court’s declaration of Mr. Steele’s innocence in any and all forums.
Donald Steele’s defense team
The state said they are outraged and plan to file paperwork to be submitted by June 10 to have the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal take a look at the verdict.
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