Trial in slaying of Lejeune Marine delayed

Updated at 7:06 p.m.

LAKE CHARLES, La. — The trial of a man charged in the death of a Camp Lejeune Marine home on leave in 2009 has been delayed for the second time.

Bryce Perkins is charged with second-degree murder in the July 5, 2009, shooting death of Lance Cpl. Daniel Cole Gueringer, 20, a Marine who was on leave in Lake Charles, La. Gueringer was shot while attempting to break up a fight at a Fourth of July party, authorities said.

The trial was scheduled to begin Sept. 27, but Perkins’ attorney Tom Lorenzi told state District Judge Robert Wyatt he needed more time to review statements to police and a special prosecutor, according to an Associated Press report. Wyatt granted him a second delay until Nov. 8.

Austin Michael Rousseau was also charged with second-degree murder in the shooting. He will be tried separately from Perkins. Both men face additional charges of possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, according to reports in The American Press in Lake Charles.

Three other men who were at the party were charged as well. Derek Peloquin and Greg Wisner were charged with accessory after the fact and obstruction of justice, and Taylor Johnson was charged with inciting a riot and criminal conspiracy, according to media reports.

Gueringer was a rifleman assigned to 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

He joined the Marine Corps May 29, 2007 and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from July 2008 to February 2009, according to Marine Corps officials.

His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment ribbon.

LAKE CHARLES, La. — The trial of one of two men charged in the July 5, 2009, slaying of a Marine home on leave won’t begin as scheduled on Sept. 27.

The American Press reports state District Judge Robert Wyatt granted a second delay this time until Nov. 8 to the attorneys of Bryce Perkins.

Attorney Tom Lorenzi told Wyatt he needed more time to review DVDs of witness statements made to police and later statements made to a special prosecutor.

Perkins and Austin Rousseau are each charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 20-year-old Daniel Cole Gueringer, a lance corporal based at Camp LeJeune.

The defendants will be tried separately.

A police report says Gueringer was shot trying to break up a fight.