Franklinton Woman Guilty of Murder of Best Friend's Fiance

District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that today (June 15, 2018) a St. Tammany Parish jury found Margaret Stockstill (33) of Franklinton guilty of second degree murder in the death of her best friend’s fiance. Stockstill faces a mandatory life sentence when she appears before District Judge Peter J. Garcia for sentencing August 16, 2018.
The week-long trial centered on what happened the night of April 14, 2017, when Stockstill shot Cody Couch (27) to death. The jury deliberated less than an hour and rejected Stockstill’s claims that she shot Couch in self-defense.
The prosecution argued that Couch, his fiancee Kristen Copeland, and Stockstill planned  to spend the evening together playing cards and drinking at home in Folsom. But Couch left to play pool at a bar with friends and did not respond to Copeland's repeated calls and text messages. Copeland became angry and sent Couch a text that she was ending their relationship and burning his clothes and sent him a photo of the burning clothes.
Couch returned to the house around 10 p.m., an argument broke out between him and the two women, who had once shared a brief romantic relationship. When Stockstill pulled out her gun, Couch threw out his hands and said: “What are you going to do? Shoot me?” Stockstill fired a shot, striking Couch in the lower abdomen. On a cell phone video, Stockstill can be heard saying: “Got your a--!”
“This was a difficult case, but the successful prosecution is due to the thoroughness of the investigation and the preparation of my two Assistant District Attorneys, Blair Alford and Elizabeth Authement,” District Attorney Warren Montgomery said. “We’re blessed to have a high-performance team of prosecutors at the D.A.’s Office.”

Franklinton Woman Gets Life Sentence

District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that Margaret Stockstill (33) of Franklinton was sentenced to life in prison without parole Thursday (August 16, 2018) for killing her best friend’s fiancé. A St. Tammany Parish jury found Stockstill guilty of second degree murder for the crime after a week-long trial before District Judge Peter J. Garcia in June.

Stockstill fatally shot Cody Couch (27) on April 14, 2017 during an argument at the home he shared with his fiancé, Kristin Copeland. Click here for more details

Couch’s sister, Tina, read a statement from the couple’s 9-year-old son: “The hardest times are on Father’s Day, my birthday, and times when other kids have their dads around,” he said. “I have a hard time at night ‘cause I miss him so much.”

Other family members also gave statements about the impact of Couch’s death on them.

Garcia denied Stockstill’s request for a new trial. Assistant District Attorneys Blair Alford and Elizabeth Authement prosecuted the case.

Franklinton Woman Arrested in Folsom Homicide

St. Tammany Parish deputies responded last Friday (April 14, 2017) to a 911 call of a man shot in the Folsom community. The victim, identified as Cody Crouch (27), was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Margaret Stockstill (32) of Franklinton was arrested late Wednesday (April 19, 2017) afternoon and charged with Manslaughter.

A STPSO report reveals that an argument began Friday evening between Couch, Stockstill, and Couch's fiancé. The argument became physical and Stockstill armed herself with a .22 caliber revolver and shot Couch once in the lower abdomen. Stockstill admitted to shooting Couch but claimed self-defense. The investigation and evidence concluded that shooting Couch was not justified.
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith says, "If you are going to take the life of another human being, it needs to be justified. That was not the case in this particular instance. It is very unfortunate that this happened, and it all could have easily been prevented. Tempers flared and someone lost their life because of it."

Franklinton Woman Guilty of Negligent Homicide from a 2017 Shooting in Folsom

District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that a St. Tammany Parish jury found Margaret Stockstill, age 38 and of Franklinton, guilty of negligent homicide in the death of her best friend’s fiancé. The jury deliberated until after 11 P.M. Thursday (April 27, 2023) night, after the two-week long trial.

This was Stockstill’s second trial for the same incident. She was originally found guilty of second-degree murder in June of 2018. Her attorneys appealed the conviction. The Louisiana 1st Circuit affirmed the original verdict but the Louisiana Supreme Court overturned the verdict and remanded the case for a new trial.

Stockstill faces up to 5 years in prison when she appears before District Judge John Keller for sentencing on June 1, 2023.

Click here for five previous and related stories

Way Too Much Violence!

The November 6, 2017 trial of Franklinton resident Margaret Stockstill, for the April 14, 2017 shooting death of Cody Crouch, has been delayed by District Judge Peter Garcia due to Kristin Copeland, the only eyewitness, not being available.

Crouch was the fiance of Kristin Copeland, the only eyewitness to the shooting and a friend of Stockstill. Copeland is not available to testify because – now get this – she has a new boyfriend and on October 17, 2017 she was arrested for the multiple stabbing of said new boyfriend, Patrick Day, during a domestic disturbance in Goodbee.
And, Patrick Day has since been arrested on warrants accusing him of domestic abuse battery/strangulation, criminal damage and aggravated assault with a firearm – said offenses committed during another domestic violence disturbance involving Day and Crouch. 

2 From Franklinton Among 4 Indicted in St. Tammany

William Thomas Jones, Jr., (44) of Franklinton, the former evidence custodian for the Causeway Police Department, was indicted by a St. Tammany Parish Grand Jury on June 8, 2017. He was indicted for malfeasance in office, theft of items valued at more than $5,000, and two counts of theft of a firearm. According to District Attorney Warren Montgomery, Jones is accused of stealing controlled dangerous substances under his custody between Oct. 4, 2011, and Nov. 28, 2016, taking cash valued at between $5,000 and $25,000 from evidence collected by the department, and taking two firearms (a Smith and Wesson 40-caliber handgun and a Taurus 38-caliber handgun) that were in the department’s custody.

Also indicted were Margaret Camaille Stockstill (32) of Franklinton. Stockstill was arrested by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office April 29, 2017 for the shooting death of Cody Crouch (27) on April 14, 2017. Crouch was shot with a .22 caliber revolver once in the lower abdomen followed an argument between Couch, Stockstill, and Couch's fiancé in the Folsom community. Although originally charged with Manslaughter, Stockstill was indicted on the charge of second degree murder. 

Indictments were also returned against Jake Mills (20) of Mandeville for second degree murder in the death of Vincent A. Cuccia on or about March 18, 2017. and against Craig Anthony Marquez (54) of Abita Springs for aggravated first degree rape of a victim under 13.

Obituary

Timothy Allen Camaille

January 14, 1961 — August 25, 2026