State ex rel. D.P.B.

hKOSTELKA, J.

The juvenile, D.P.B., was adjudicated delinquent for the crime of manslaughter, La. R.S. 14:31. He now appeals contending that the state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the homicide was not justified. Finding merit to his claim, we reverse the adjudication and disposition.1

Facts

On the evening of October 3, 2000, D.P.B. and his friends, C.H., E.U. and P.R., got together in P.R.’s Mustang and rode around West Monroe and Monroe, Louisiana. D.P.B. and P.R. were best friends. C.H. was designated driver for the evening and D.P.B. and P.R. rode in the back seat. Both…