Sentencing for Louisiana Killer Has Been Delayed Until January

SHREVEPORT, LA - Family members of 12-year-old Justin Bloxom gathered back at the DeSoto Parish Courthouse for formal sentencing in the case. But they will have to keep waiting a little bit longer. Brian Horn faces the death penalty for the 2010 murder.

The defense team from the Capitol Appeals Project asked the judge for a delay in sentencing for Horn. They told DeSoto District Court Judge Amy Burford McCartney they need the trial transcript in order to fully investigate all possible claims for a new trial. That transcript is not yet available.

Prosecutors urged the judge to move forward with the sentencing today saying the defense attorneys have not filed any motions indicating there were any grounds for a new trial. Prosecutors call this latest defense tactic a "fishing expedition."

How Did the Judge Rule?

But Judge Burford McCartney, after listening to both sides of the case, erred on the side of the defense. Formal sentencing has now been set for January 11 at 1pm. The judge did make it clear to the defense team that there will not be another delay. She said "I will not grant another continuance." The Judge also set a deadline of January 8 for any motions for a new trial in this case.

Horn was convicted back in July for the 2010 murder of the Stonewall boy. The jury recommended the death sentence in the case. Today, that sentence was expected to be officially imposed by the Judge. Family members of Justin Bloxom were prepared to give victim impact statements in this case. But that will all have to wait until the new sentencing date next year.

The Bloxom family is no stranger to delays. Horn's earlier conviction and death sentence was overturned back in 2018 and he was granted a new trial. That second trial ended the same as the first. His defense team is already talking about requesting yet another new trial.