Guilty Verdict in Folsom Library Attack

On August 15, 2017, an employee of the Folsom Library called the Folsom Police Department to report an attempted rape. Upon arrival, the victim told officers that the defendant had asked her to show him a book. After she led him to the corner of the library, he grabbed her from behind by wrapping an arm around her neck and dragged her backwards towards the bathroom, causing her shoes to fall off in the process. As the defendant struggled to open the door of the bathroom, the victim bit the defendant and was able to escape.

Police arrested the defendant still at the library. At the time of his apprehension, police located zip ties fashioned into “flex cuffs” on the ground near the computer where he was seated. A pat-down of his person revealed a fixed blade knife.

In the police interview later that day, the defendant admitted to officers that he thought the librarian was the only person in the building.

At trial, counsel for the defendant presented an insanity defense. An expert witness for the State, who had performed a non-confidential psychological examination of the defendant, testified that in her opinion, the defendant could distinguish right from wrong. She further testified that the defendant spoke to her about his difficult childhood.

District Judge John Keller presided over the trial. Assistant District Attorneys Christina Fisher and Blake Peters prosecuted the case. The Folsom Police Department and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office handled the investigation.

The defendant committed the crime as a minor but under the transfer provisions of the Louisiana Children’s Code (which allows juveniles fifteen years of age or older to be tried as adults for certain violent crimes), King was tried as an adult.

Sentencing is set for March 8, 2023. The sentencing range for 2nd degree kidnapping is 5-40 years, with at least 2 years to be served without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.