New Orleans father accused of setting house fire that killed his 3 kids pleads guilty, attacked by family in court
A New Orleans father accused of setting a house on fire in New Orleans East, killing his three children, has entered a plea Thursday morning.
Joseph Washington, 29, was in court Thursday, where he entered a guilty plea.
He plead guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and one count of obstruction of justice.
He was sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder charges and 40 years for the obstruction of justice charge.
A first-degree murder charge carries an automatic life sentence. The death penalty is not being sought in this case.
The sentencing hearing got heated when family members attacked Washington in the court room.
At least one person was arrested and taken into custody.
It is unclear at this time if Washington was hurt in the attack.
Washington is accused of setting the fire on purpose.
Ring camera footage showed the house catching on fire and then Washington leaving the scene of the fire and driving away.
Washington was taken into custody after driving his car into the Mississippi River near the Gretna Ferry Terminal and jumping off the overpass.