Skip to content
NOWCAST WDSU News at 10pm
Watch on Demand
Advertisement

New Orleans father accused of setting house fire that killed his 3 kids pleads guilty, attacked by family in court

New Orleans father accused of setting house fire that killed his 3 kids pleads guilty, attacked by family in court
AND THE BREAKING NEWS THAT WE’RE FOLLOWING. A FATHER ADMITS TO KILLING HIS THREE YOUNG KIDS IN A HOUSE FIRE IN NEW ORLEANS. JOSEPH WASHINGTON WILL NOW SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN JAIL. AND TO CAP OFF AN EMOTIONAL DAY INSIDE THE COURTROOM AND THIS SUPPLIES PLEA. A FIGHT BROKE OUT IN THE COURTROOM AS SOMEONE TRIED TO ATTACK WASHINGTON. WDSU REPORTER ANUM SIDDIQUI HAS THE VERY LATEST FROM FROM COURT. ANUM. IT WAS COMPLETE CHAOS IN THE COURTROOM DURING JOSEPH WASHINGTON’S SENTENCING. FAMILY MEMBERS RAN ACROSS THE COURTROOM TO ATTACK WASHINGTON AND THEN LATER ATTACK WASHINGTON’S FATHER, WHO WAS THERE IN SUPPORT OF HIS SON, JOSEPH WASHINGTON ENTERED HIS GUILTY PLEA FOR KILLING HIS THREE YOUNG CHILDREN. THIS IS JOSEPH JAYLA AND AVERY KILLED WHEN THEIR FATHER SET THEIR AMERICA STREET HOME ON FIRE AND VIDEO SHOWS HIM LEAVING AS FLAMES GROW. WASHINGTON WAS SERVE LIFE IN JAIL WITH NO PAROLE. FAMILY MEMBERS GAVE STATEMENTS REFERRING TO WASHINGTON AS THE DEVIL AND SPEAKING ABOUT HOW THEY NOW HAVE TO DEAL WITH LIFELONG TRAUMA FOR DURING HIS SENTENCING, ONE FAMILY MEMBER JUMPED ONTO WASHINGTON IN AT LEAST SEVEN OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS JOINED IN, PULLING WASHINGTON TO THE GROUND. THINGS ONLY SETTLED FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE SAME WOMAN THEN ATTACKED WASHINGTON’S FATHER. THE WOMAN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH THE FAMILY AS THEY WERE ESCORTED BY DEPUTIES. AND HERE YOU SEE WASHINGTON’S FATHER HAD NO WORDS FOR OUR CAMERAS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE. WASHINGTON’S GIRLFRIEND, SHANIKA PHILLIPS, IS ALSO IN JAIL. SHE’S BEEN ARRESTED FOR ACCESSORY AFTER THE FIRE. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAYS THAT PHILLIPS HELPED WASHINGTON AFTER SHE KNEW WHAT HE DID ON AMERICA STREET. WE WILL ALSO BE FOLLOWING HER CASE AS IT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP. BUT FOR NO
Advertisement
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.

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.

Advertisement

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.