(WWL)
An attorney for the former LSU student on trial for the alleged hazing death of Maxwell Gruver has submitted new court filings that paint Gruver as a party animal who would consume alcohol and use marijuana willingly on a daily basis. Legal analyst Tim Meche said Matthew Naquin’s lead attorney John McLindon latest filings argue that his client is not responsible for Gruver’s passing, but that blame falls on the deceased.
“If Mr. Gruver was a habitual user of drugs and alcohol, that could be a factor in getting the jury to decide that his death was caused by himself,” said Meche.
The filings insist Gruver began using alcohol and smoking pot from the first day he set foot on the LSU campus. Meche said a filing of this nature is likely admissible in this case.
“Mr. Naquin is on trial for a serious crime that could result in a long prison sentence. He’s entitled to present a defense,” said Meche.
Meche says Naquin’s lawyer is doing exactly what a defense lawyer is supposed to do in defending his client.
“I realize that his actions may upset the Gruver family, but his duty is to his client to make sure his client doesn’t go away to prison for a long period of time,” said Meche.
The trial is set for July. The Gruver family has responded in a Facebook post saying, “Let the victim shaming begin. We will not back down. We will not be threatened.”