Farmerville Gazette by Mark Rainwater
A Union Parish jury deliberated for 30 minutes before returning with a guilty verdict for a man accused of shooting a long-time acquaintance on Valentine’s Day in 2018.
Twenty-four-year-old David Michael Bull was found guilty of second-degree murder in a trial that lasted just two days with one of those dedicated to seating a 12-person jury.
Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates said in February 2018 that dispatchers had received a call about a body having been found in a wooded area east of where Bayou D’Loutre crosses Louisiana 33. Deputies discovered the body of 53-year-old Jerry Dean Ramsey with an apparent gunshot wound in his back. During their investigation, detectives with the UPSO identified Bull as a possible suspect. After they brought him in for questioning, Bull confessed to shooting Ramsey.
Third District assistant district attorney Cliff Strider served as lead prosecutor on the case and was assisted by Michael Mahaffey.
“The sheriff’s office should be commended for the case they gave us to prosecute,” Strider said. “Having his confession apparently sealed it for the jury.”
Strider said testimony given during the trial indicated Bull and Ramsey had been acquainted for some time prior to the incident. With Bull not taking the stand in his defense, Strider said they were unable to determine why might have prompted the shooting.
Third District Court Judge Bruce Hampton presided over the trial. Bull was represented by attorney James Buckley.
Hampton ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed before a scheduled sentencing hearing on May 10. If the report isn’t complete at that time, Hampton also set June 12 as another sentencing date date. The hearing is a formality, as state law sets a sentence of life without parole for convictions of second-degree murder.
