Man Arrested For Murder Of Priest

From the Daily Comet:

John DeSantis
Senior Staff Writer

THIBODAUX - In this sleepy Southern town where murders are as rare as snow, the hallowed grounds of an antebellum Episcopal church are haunted by questions from a 15-year-old mystery.

Who bludgeoned a popular young priest to death on a summer night in 1992, and for what reason?

Gathered Tuesday in front of the church hall that bears the slain priest’s name - where his blood spilled on its floors - a number of the faithful, family members and clerics were told by police officials that answers had finally emerged.

The arrest of a 28-year-old habitual criminal named Derrick Raynard Odomes on charges that he robbed and killed the Rev. Hunter Horgan III at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Aug. 13, 1992, some said, begins a sense of closure for a crime that has remained an open wound.

Back in August, I wrote a post in memory of Hunter Horgan. I said this:

Have you guessed that this is my church? I was not a member when the murder occurred, but since mine is a small town, everyone in the vicinity was shocked and grieved. I can only imagine what it was like for the church members and for the family of Hunter Horgan.
....

I had met Fr. Horgan a few times, and he seemed like a kindly man. The unsolved crime does leave an open wound.

I was shocked when I got the phone call about the arrest. I was there on the church grounds when the announcement was made. Afterwards, the folks there milled around a bit and spoke quietly . It's hard for me to take in that after this long a period of time the case has allegedly been solved.

Beneath a stand of moss-draped oaks, parishioners traded memories of the priest they lost 15 years ago, and of their attempts to cope since his death. Some say they still speak to him when visiting the church hall.

I like the way John DeSantis writes. He tells the story well.

Lord, may Hunter rest in peace and rise in glory, and may your peace that passes understanding keep the minds and hearts of those who loved him and miss him.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.