A Golden Meadow man will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury convicted him in the drowning death of a Lafourche Parish woman.
The jury found Travis Orso, 47, guilty second-degree murder in the May 2020 death of Dione Cheramie. Prosecutors argued that Orso drowned Cheramie in the Bayou Lafourche near Cut Off after an argument. Prosecutors also presented evidence showing that Cheramie sustained blunt force trauma, bruises, and gashes on several parts of her body.
Orso claimed that Cheramie jumped into the water and that he jumped in behind her in an effort to save her.
“Witnesses rushed to help save Dion Cheramie’s life, all while the defendant was cursing her, calling her obscene names, and drinking the beer set down by one of the individuals who rushed from a residence to help,” Assistant District Attorney Jason Chatagnier said in a statement after the verdict was rendered. “Not once did the defendant show concern for Dion Cheramie or any remorse for drowning her. His actions were that of a cold and callous killer.”
Orso’s sentencing date is scheduled for July 14.
