Jury selection begins for second time in former mayor’s trial

Published 8:07 pm Monday, February 23, 2026

Jury selection got underway Monday for the second time in the trial of former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts at the 36th Judicial District Court in Beauregard Parish.

Proceedings were initially delayed Monday morning as Ad Hoc Judge D. Kent Savoie heard arguments from the state and defense team that stemmed from a preliminary exam hearing held on Feb. 12. By Monday afternoon, the first group of potential jurors was sworn in and questioned by the state and defense team.

The initial trial against Roberts ended before it had even begun last month. Before jury selection had been completed, Savoie declared a mistrial when the Louisiana Supreme Court upheld an opinion from the Third Circuit Court that quashed an indictment against Roberts. The indictment had been introduced during a grand jury arraignment presided over by a Beauregard Parish judge, one month after the state’s high court recused both judges from Roberts’ case.

On Feb. 4, Roberts was arraigned again on the felony charges of indecent behavior with a juvenile and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Roberts has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Roberts was arrested in 2024 on charges of allegedly having sexual relations with an underage teen.

Jury selection is expected to resume Tuesday at 9 a.m.L