DA Collin Sims reports that on July 12, 2024, a St. Tammany Parish jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning guilty verdicts on all charges against 37 YO Patrick “Paris” McCarty of Lacombe arising out of the fatal beating of 36 YO Joshua James in 2022.
McCarty was convicted of Second degree murder, Obstruction of justice and two counts of Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Assistant District Attorneys Christina Fisher and Iain Dover laid out the evidence during the trial, with Judge Richard Swartz presiding.
Detective Julie Boynton led the investigation for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Prosecutors called more than 20 witnesses to the stand and introduced hundreds of exhibits during the five-day trial. Testimony established that on the morning of June 14, 2022, deputies in Santa Rosa County, Florida were dispatched in response to a body reportedly seen floating in Jake’s Bayou. Upon inspection of the body, it was found to be an adult male displaying obvious signs of foul play. The victim’s right hand was tied behind his back and his body had been wrapped in a white fur rug. Additionally, there were ligature marks on the victim’s neck and extensive bruising over most of his body.
As the investigation progressed, detectives in Santa Rosa County focused attention on the defendant Patrick McCarty and his boyfriend. They sought assistance from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in locating the two individuals, as they were known to live in St. Tammany Parish. Detectives with STPSO made plans to visit a Lacombe residence believed to be shared by McCarty and his boyfriend. Witness testimony produced at trial by the State revealed McCarty relentlessly beat the victim into unconsciousness at the Lacombe residence.
McCarty’s sentencing is scheduled for August 14th.
Second degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
