Families seek peace after Bourgeois pleads guilty to murder
Carmelina Waite said she wanted peace for her family and then hugged the parents of the man being sentenced for murdering her daughter on July 30, 2014.
“I thank God for justice having been served and for Bruce Bourgeois Jr.’s sorrowfulness and apology by letter [that] his Mama and son brought the evening before sentencing ….” Carmelina said. “We have loved him and his family and are sad for their loss, as well as ours.”
Bruce Bourgeois Jr., 35, of Destrehan pleaded guilty to manslaughter and attempted manslaughter at the Dec. 3 sentencing hearing in the 29th Judicial District Court in St. Charles Parish.
Bruce pleaded guilty to stabbing his live-in girlfriend, Mia Waite, to death and severely injuring her mother, Carmelina.Bourgeois got a 40-year sentence in exchange for pleading guilty to manslaughter and a 20-year sentence for attempted manslaughter. He was initially charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and armed robbery.
According to state law, he must serve 34 years of his sentence before he can be considered for parole.
On Aug. 1, 2014, Bourgeois was arrested the day after the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office found Waite stabbed to death in her bathroom at the residence she shared with him on Madewood Drive in Destrehan.
At the hearing, Carmelina testified she “just wanted her family to have peace,” left the stand and hugged Bourgeois’ father and mother.
After the hearing, she added, “It felt so good to hug the parents after the sentencing. We all want peace for each other.”
Carmelina also expressed gratitude “for the efficiency of the St. Charles Parish District Attorney and his team getting us through this grievous ordeal and appreciate all our loved ones’ prayers and support.”
District Attorney Joel T. Chaisson II said the guilty plea eliminated the need for a trial, which had been scheduled in February.
Chaisson said he only agreed to the amended charges because Bourgeois agreed to accept the maximum prison sentences on those charges.
He also agreed to not object to St. Pierre ordering the sentences be served concurrently because Carmelina requested that at the sentencing.
Bourgeois’ mother, Lorna Bourgeois of Destrehan, said she was proud of her son for taking the plea and sparing the families of a trial.
“I’m proud that my son decided to take charge like a man instead of putting the families through a trial,” Lorna said. “I think my son would do good in jail and help other people with what he’s gone through.”
Bruce expressed remorse for his actions in a letter of apology that was delivered to Carmelina prior to the sentencing hearing.
According to Lorna, “I’m hurt like any other mother that I lost my baby with something that could have been prevented.”Lorna also expressed gratitude for she and her husband’s relationship with Carmelina, who she said taught her a lot about truly believing in God. Lorna also said she visits them regularly to spend time with her grandson (Bruce and Mia’s 10-year-old child that they’ve had custody of since he was two years old).
For Carmelina, life continues through memories of her daughter and grandchildren.
“Our precious daughter, Mia, is fondly remembered in our hearts for her loving, forgiving and cheerful nature,” she said. “Her dear children are a great blessing and comfort in our lives.”
Chaisson said he held firm on the maximum sentences for Bourgeois despite his attorney making numerous requests to lessen them.
“This plea agreement serves to ensure that Bruce Bourgeois Jr. will spend the majority, if not the remainder of his life, in prison and spare Mia Waite’s family the pain and uncertainty of a public trial and years of appeals,” Chaisson said. “It is my hope that the family may find peace with the closure that this guilty plea provides.”
Judge Emile R. St. Pierre accepted Bourgeois’ plea. Assistant District Attorneys Howat A. Peters Jr. and John M. Chaisson prosecuted the case against Bourgeois.
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