Confession to pastor allowed as Ascension Parish jury finds woman guilty of attempted murder

An Ascension Parish jury found a Donaldsonville woman guilty of attempted first degree murder and home invasion after her defense argued a video-recorded confession to her pastor should not be allowed in the trial.

The guilty verdict for 44-year-old Peggy Valentine was in connection with a 2022 early-morning home invasion on Elizabeth Street in Donaldsonville that led to the homeowner being stabbed, according to a 23rd Judicial District Attorney news release.

Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office deputies reportedly responded to the residence May 4, 2022, in reference to a stabbing and home invasion.

After arriving at the scene, deputies talked to the occupants of the residence and learned that a female dressed in all black and carrying a box cutter made unauthorized entry into the home and stabbed the victim as she was sleeping in her bed, according to the release.

Detectives reportedly responded, canvassing the scene and conducting witness interviews.

The stabbing victim was transported to an area hospital and treated for multiple stab wounds, per the release.

The stabbing victim reportedly was unable to identify the suspect, though detectives identified Valentine as a potential suspect during the investigation.

According to the release, Valentine ultimately confessed to detectives that she entered the residence armed with two box cutters and stabbed the victim.

Deputies arrested and booked Valentine into the Ascension Parish Jail.

Defense argues against allowing confession

The case made national headlines in recent days after Valentine's defense attempted to have the confession thrown out as one of the deputies she spoke to was her personal pastor.

A Baton Rouge newspaper reported Oct. 31 that Valentine's attorney argued the conversation she had with APSO Major Darryl Smith was covered by "clergy-penitent privilege."

The form of privilege protects disclosure to third parties communications between a member of the clergy and a person who seeks spiritual counseling, according to Westlaw.

Valentine had specifically asked to speak to her pastor as she was developed as a suspect, per the article.

Prosecutors reportedly used a recording of the conversation during the trial after the judge ruled Valentine had no reasonable expectation of privacy.

Sentencing set for next year

Following the guilty verdict, sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a pre-sentence investigation, according to the release.

Sentencing has been set tentatively for Feb. 27, 2024, per the release.

Valentine, who remained incarcerated at the jail, faces potentially decades in state prison, according to the release.

Assistant District Attorneys Brant Mayer, Kristin Tregre, and Phil Maples prosecuted the case and Judge Cody Martin presided over the trial, per the release.

David Belfield III represented Valentine in the trial.

Gonzales Weekly Citizen and Donaldsonville Chief, part of the USA Today Network of Louisiana, cover Ascension Parish and the greater Baton Rouge area. Follow at facebook.com/WeeklyCitizen and facebook.com/DonaldsonvilleChief.