Crime

Mother’s Emotional Press Conference After Disabled Son Decapitated by Own Dad

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Louisiana man told investigators he decapitated his disabled 7-year-old son because he had grown tired of caring for the boy, who had cerebral palsy and heart problems, needed a feeding tube and used a wheelchair, police said.

Police Chief Scott Silverii said Monday that Jeremiah Lee Wright, 30, of Thibodaux waived his right to an attorney and confessed to killing Jori Lirette within a half-hour of being brought to the police station Sunday. Wright was booked with first-degree murder and held in lieu of $5 million bond. Detective Ricky Ross, a department spokesman, said Wright did not have an attorney.

Silverii said the boy’s feet and one hand also were cut off, recovered in several white plastic garbage bags. A preliminary autopsy indicated Jori also had been bludgeoned, he said. His head was left by the side of the road so the child’s mother, 27-year-old Jesslyn Lirette, would see it when she came home, the chief said.

7 Year Old Jori Lirette Decapitated By Dad Jeremiah Lee Wright

Jeremiah Lee Wright

Wright’s only explanation for doing so was “just that he wanted her to feel stupid when she saw the head,” Silverii said.

The killing was the first since 2008 in Thibodaux, a city of about 14,500 people.

Silverii said the boy apparently was decapitated over the kitchen sink, which was sent to the Louisiana State Police crime lab along with a box of tools found nearby. Wright told investigators he began killing the boy about 30 minutes after Lirette had left Sunday to repair her pickup truck so she could take Jori to a doctor Tuesday.

CNN has more details about how police discovered the body:

“We received the call about 12:14 p.m. on Sunday from a volunteer firefighter who was driving by and found a head by itself on the side of the city street,” Ross said. When officers arrived, they were not sure whether the head was real, Ross said.

“When police arrived, 30-year-old Jeremiah Lee Wright was standing on the porch and told police it was a CPR dummy and it was just a joke.”

“After additional officers arrived, Wright was taken into custody for questioning and during the questioning he confessed to the crime,” Ross said.

Police had been called to the house last month when the couple had an argument – possibly about money – though neither person brought charges, Ross said. The police chief said Wright had been arrested a few times previously, though he was never charged with violent crimes. Wright served 10 days for theft in 2005.

Lirette told The Daily Comet of Thibodaux that she and Wright had been together for 10 years, but that she had planned for some time to leave him.

“I didn’t get out fast enough,” she said.

Mark Chatagnier, a friend of Wright’s, told the newspaper Wright was unemployed and that Lirette often left him to care for Jori, even when she was not working.

“She would take off and totally expect Jerry to do everything,” Chatagnier said.

Lirette denied that. She told the newspaper she cared for another disabled person to pay household bills and was still around to care for her son, who had been born three months premature, could say only a few words and weighed no more than 50 pounds when he died.

“He was my star. No matter what people think or say, he was always top priority in my life,” Lirette said through tears during a news conference Monday afternoon. “I’ve done everything I can for him.”

When Lirette returned from fixing the truck, she found her home blocked by police tape.

When she identified herself, Silverii had a captain and Ross, who was a minister for 12 years and remains a lay pastor, tell her what happened.

“These are experienced men. They came out of there in tears. Just absolutely in tears,” Silverii said.

Grief counselors from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office also spent time with her, he said.

South Thibodaux Elementary School, where Jori was a second-grader, was “a very somber place” Monday, said Floyd Benoit, spokesman for the Lafourche Parish school system. Counselors were on hand there and at other schools where people knew Jori, he said.

The school has 560 students, including 84 second-graders and 18 in special education across all grades, he said.

Jori had attended South Thibodaux since pre-kindergarten, principal Diane Smith said.

“Everyone loved him. Even though he could not express in words his feelings to us, he did it with his smile,” she said.

Lirette ended her statement at the news conference with a message to her son:

“In Heaven I believe you’re a beautiful star and you will always shine bright inside my heart, inside everybody’s heart. If I could go back and change yesterday, I would. But I can’t.

“You will be missed and loved by everyone and we will pray every day in your honor. Love you, Mom.”

Comments (157)

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  • voicecheck1
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:20am

    30 years old ? is this part of the me generation ? ^ hope not ^ good thing the cops were their when the wife got home imagine what might have taken place ^ this is a very shallow minded cruel cruel waist of what may have been a human being ^ death penalty without 1 doubt ^

    Report Post »  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:27am

      Wow, what a very sad, sad story – it amazes me what some parents do to their children – beyond belief. May the child rest in peace. http://wp.me/pYLB7-1ou

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • onewayonly
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 4:30pm

      I knew the extended family and met the mom as a child. and know of many situations concerning abuse that plauges the family.. Sadly the the mother was a teen mother who had family problems and not the support systems that normal familes do ! Sadly an enormous responsibility for any mother.She is a mother who did the best she could do for her child ! This is a tragic useless death.. I think there is enough blame to go around in the extended family too! ..This child should have had family to love and take care of him. And even more so when parents are not able to . The families of this country are being broken up and destroyed…. I am not excusing the father at all . He should have loved his child enough to take care of this precious childI I see this as evil and hope he is given a death sentence. My prayers are with her and her family and hope they all are comforted with peace . And pray for restoration for each of them with GOD… .

      Report Post »  
    • Zer0
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 4:45pm

      Probably not the first person that animal had killed. The decapitation and the dismemberment, in conjunction with how organized the killer was, suggests the type of murderer that is somewhat experienced.

      Report Post »  
    • Professional Infidel
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:41pm

      Living at home?? not taking care of your self and children?? been on his mind a long time. DEATH

      Report Post »  
  • smithclar3nc3
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:16am

    Hey No Race,
    You need to stop think about Race as it blinds you to the obvious. Bigdaddy‘s point was that this man is going to be someone’s b**ch in prison he’ll be in he77 long before he dies. The race of the fictional prisoner(peaches) is irrelevent he could have easily said a 6ft 6in arian brother named Ivan.
    See when you make race the issue,race is all that controls you.And in the end it will make you as racist as Ivan.
    LIGHTEN UP
    LIGHTEN UP

    Report Post »  
  • OUTRIDER WRITER
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:12am

    @NoRace***
    Don’t be astonished that bottom feeders like Teddrunk and BigDadd live among us. Note them for who they are, skip their retorts, and focus on the commentaries of those who walk the high road.

    Report Post »  
  • 57states
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:04am

    He was a liberal, he also voted for obama! lol I’m being facetious, But you know the left is already saying that!

    Report Post » 57states  
    • sWampy
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:29am

      Yeah right accuse the left of using the rights tactics, that’s exactly what the right does, as soon as one of their own does something horrible, they claim they are a left wing loon. Even though 99.9999% of all human suffering has been brought about by liberals, they still try to claim it’s those freedom loving conservatives that some how are guilty of doing the bidding of the right.

      Report Post »  
    • No Race Is Superior
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:45am

      @57states

      You mean to tell me you actually find ths amuzing?
      Noted!

      Report Post »  
  • UGrev
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:55am

    oh my .. I cannot believe what I just read. I had to stop reading because it made me sick, almost literally sick. Special places in hell indeed.

    Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:49am

      You’re right, I only read part of it and couldn’t stomach the rest of it. I only wanted to know where and if it was a current situation.

      Report Post »  
    • Physicist_In_Training
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 11:26am

      Indeed. I had to look away at the part where he said he did it so his wife would feel “stupid.” What a monster. I can’t even fathom the mind of a person like that, and I think if I even tried it would give me nightmares.

      Report Post » Physicist_In_Training  
  • hauschild
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:50am

    Haters and Baiters – what’s a man to do???

    Report Post »  
  • Openentrollment
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:48am

    Speechless. He will have to answer to his crime on judgement day.

    Report Post »  
    • Blacktooth
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 11:49am

      This kind of evil does leave us all speechless as it is so hard to fathom. Notice though some encouraging words from our Lord, Jesus Christ:

      John 5:25 “Most truly I say to YOU, The hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who have given heed will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted also to the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to do judging, because Son of man he is. 28 Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. 30 I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative; just as I hear, I judge; and the judgment that I render is righteous, because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him that sent me.

      There will be a resurrection for this little guy.

      Report Post » Blacktooth  
  • GulfPeg
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:45am

    If your last name is Wright, don’t name your child Jeremiah. The name is jinxed! Remember Jeremiah Wright? Obama’s pastor? That hateful nincompoop?

    Report Post »  
  • No Race Is Superior
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:41am

    It never fails, even when the brutal and malicious crime has nothing to do with black people and everything to do with a white person A RACIST finds a way to include a black person. Why did you have to put a race in this bigdaddyt46.

    But I guess your buddies will say I am race bating, yet nothing has been said to you about using a certain race. And if you come back to say it was not racist you could have said a white or Asian, my point is why did you have to use a certain race PERIOD. But we all know the reason. You reek of hate.

    Report Post »  
  • AR_OR_AK
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:41am

    There’s a special mansion in Hell waitin for this guy…..

    Report Post »  
  • dsm
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:18am

    God be with this child and his family. What on earth is happening to people? They are turning into lunatics and barbarians. This man needs fried.

    Report Post »  
  • GlassHalfFull
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:13am

    Lets decapitate him instead of sending him to prison where he gets free food and and a warm place to sleep that WE have to pay for.

    Report Post »  
    • SistaTriscuit
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:20am

      Couldn’t agree more!

      Report Post » SistaTriscuit  
    • quicker
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:26am

      With a dull knife.

      Report Post » quicker  
    • Myfreedomrules
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:48am

      Absolutely! And in a public square for others to see. So tired of coddling these idiots with prison, get it done and over with.

      Report Post »  
    • DSN397
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 12:03pm

      Glasshalffull

      Your thinking with your heart, not your head. Cutting his wicked head off would be much too mericful
      for this germ. Prison would be best if he were put in the general population. Most of the even most hardden convicts despise child molesters, and a baby killer is doubly hated. Unfortunately, he will be kept in solitary confinement and be spared their wrath, but can you imgaine living in a 6 X 8 foot area, with no human contact, except for meals, I would want my head cut off.

      Thoughts of a retired policeman

      Report Post »  
    • dejavu43
      Posted on August 17, 2011 at 1:21pm

      I’m on board with that! Although…I was thinking of something a little more lasting–something he could focus on exclusively while dying….flaying alive works for me. When animals act out against helpless children, my mind goes to a very savage state……

      Report Post »  
  • cosette
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:05am

    Am I the only one who noticed this POS has the same name as the Obozos’ minister? Weird,

    Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:13am

      Wow, you are correct. Looks like they both hate white people – especially disabled children.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 4:08pm

      Rev Wright doesn’t look all black, I was wondering if they were related? Sorry, black humor to deal with the horror.

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:03am

    Right now the fact is with that sicko excuse of a human being I can only think of one thing that could be really efficient — send him into the general population with the worst of the lifers; and let them know in vivid detail what he did, and then walk off until the screaming is done for good.

    I will say no more, his fate now rests soley with the Almighty.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:17am

      I believe for this individual the use of the rack would be fine but used very slowly.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • ITGuy
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:02am

    That guy deserves no less. Worthless waist of skin.

    Report Post »  
  • jdw2469
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:00am

    I’m absolutely shocked at how MEAN society has gotten! What is it that has caused people to lose their ability to love one another (especially YOUR OWN disabled son)? You can’t go anywhere without carrying “protection”. You need guard dogs, deadbolts, home monitoring, and security lights everywhere just to feel at ease enough to sleep at night. You can’t let your child venture out on their own for their FIRST walk home alone from school without being terrified of some psychopath kidnapping them and cutting them up into pieces!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Prepare for the 2nd Coming
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:58am

    There are still people who refuse to believe in the presence of evil in this world. What more does it take?

    Report Post » Prepare for the 2nd Coming  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:50am

      This monster must have “legion.” He probably liked watching sadistic movies.

      Report Post »  
  • Redistributor
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:57am

    just leave no need to kill someone. sounds like he wanted to do this to spite the wife

    Report Post »  
    • OUTRIDER WRITER
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:58am

      @Redistributor
      My thoughts exactly after reading about why the head was left by the side of the road where his wife would be sure to see it. “Vile” does have a name.
      …
      I’m sorry I opened this news statement; will haunt me for years.

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:56am

    What a sick bastard.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:55am

    Killing children because they’re disabled. Oh, the parents are Democrats.

    Report Post »  
    • SlimnRanger
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:05am

      Ohh mercy,this is such a horriable story

      Report Post »  
    • No Race Is Superior
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:45am

      @teddrunk

      You should be ashamed of yourself. You are so cold that you would let your hate for Democrats make light of that poor baby’s demise. I swear I just do not get soem of you racist people. And then the ones who sit back and have nothing to say about these racial undertones being used even with a story like this. Obama has absolutely nothing t do with that monster killing that baby. Yet there are several people who mentioned him. Transparency is a strong and lethal thing.

      Report Post »  
    • TrueLiberal
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:11am

      @NO RACE

      Google origins of eugenics. TEDDRUNK said nothing about Obama, he said democrats, who by the way are the originators of the racism in the US you claim to fight.

      Learn some history.

      Report Post » TrueLiberal  
    • teddrunk
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:12am

      Ah norace..you’re the only one bringing up race. I brought up Democrats as they are the supporters of the infanticide of abortion, and I’m the most pro-life person in here. By the way, another baby had disabilities. His name was Trig Palin, and Democrats howled that he was allowed to live.
      By the way, I’m white, and the Planned Parenthood I despise was founded to kill black children, so how does that make me a racist?

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:24am

      Americanism-such a peaceful religion for such peaceful people!

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:11am

      Rose-Ellen, Rose-Ellen. Americanism is not a religion. Trying to compare our statements about islam doesn’t work here. Go back and try it on PuffinHo. They will howl in delight at your inane comments like the mental midgets they are.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:20am

      Thank you Rose Ellen, you are so infallibly correct. ALL AMERICAN’S do behead their children. In fact, I DON’T know why the Blaze even bothered to post this story it has become so common place.

      Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
    • HD Veteran
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 12:05pm

      @No RaceBaiter Is Superior.

      Right over your head. TedDrunk made a very valid point. I would bet my next 3 PAYCHECKS this family was relying on a number of entitlements and voted Democrat at the last election.

      Report Post » HD Veteran  
    • RN MOM
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 1:16pm

      Sick crime perpetrated by a broken mind. I bet the libs will twist this to support their abortion mills and reasoning for more governmental involvement of disabled children.

      Report Post » RN MOM  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 4:01pm

      Do you remember the progressive witch that Glenn played the recording of? She said parents of disabled children should smother them with a pillow.

      Report Post »  
  • loriann12
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:54am

    “Mark Chatagnier, a friend of Wright’s, told the newspaper Wright was unemployed and that Lirette often left him to care for Jori, even when she was not working.”

    So What? I have a 21 year old with Down Syndrome and autism. My husband does a great job of taking care of him. He often encourages me to go shopping and he watches him. That’s no excuse. And besides, it was a friend of the murderer, so who is to say it’s true?

    I’m just glad he confessed and we can now send him to jail.

    Report Post »  
    • On The Bayou
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:11am

      Lorriann12 you are correct there is no defensend this guy and that statement should never been considered to be posted. Thiboduax Louisiana is in shock. I`m sorry to say but Mr. Wright may not get the death penalty. He will probably fall under the insane column. He will be behind bars for the rest of his. Inmates although have a way of dealing with these guys. The Shrine for Jori is huge in front of the home, my children and brought gifts to the front of the home just before dark lastnight. There was a large crowd, some people praying some crying and some just coming to see where such a unbelievable act could have happened.

      Report Post » On The Bayou  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:04am

      @On The Bayou
      I don’t think so. He doesn’t appear to be legally insane. For starters, he waited until his wife had left to “start killing” his son, so there appears to be premeditation there, or at least he wasn’t delusional. Also he said he “had grown tired of caring for the boy,” which also indicates a non-delusional motive. BUT, if he were a woman, it would be easier to get off on an insanity plea. Just sayin’.

      Report Post »  
  • On The Bayou
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:53am

    This happened two blocks from my home. I passed just after it happened about 12:30 pm on Sunday afternoon. The entire city block was closed by city police. I never could have guessed how terrible the news would be. I can say that our community here in Thibodaux is in shock. God Bless Jori.

    Report Post » On The Bayou  
    • trueblueday
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:53am

      I am so sorry for the mother, family, neighbors, friends who knew and loved Jori and certainly do believe Jori was his mom’s “star”. Unfortunately, evil and hatred can be found in places least expected, even on the block where you live. I do hope the neighbors provide emotional support to Lirette as much as they can. My condolences go out to the mom.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 4:04pm

      Off topic, but is that anywhere near New Orleans? My dad grew up in Algiers.

      Report Post »  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:45am

    OMG, what a… um… crap, there just aren’t any words adequate enough to…

    I’m going to go hug my children again and tell them how much Mommy loves them…..

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • cemerius
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:44am

    Gator bait for this animal!

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • Madcat151
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:41am

    Good grief people have gone friggin nuts

    Report Post » Madcat151  
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