FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 24, 2016
COVINGTON—A St. Tammany Parish jury has convicted Chad Jerome Moore, 31, of Slidell, of attempted aggravated rape and aggravated burglary of an inhabited dwelling for breaking into a home last summer and trying to rape the occupant. The jury deliberated about 2½ hours last Thursday (Oct. 20) before returning the guilty verdict.
The crime occurred about 10:50 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2015, when a woman heard noise in her Slidell home and went into her kitchen to investigate. Moore, who had climbed through a small window, leapt from the kitchen table and began moving toward her.
Despite her screams and attempts to fight him off, he ripped off her shirt, backed her into her bedroom, and pulled out a box cutter to threaten her. Neighbors working on a car outside heard her screaming, ran to the house, and knocked on the door, startling Moore. The victim then was able to use both feet to kick Moore away from her, and she ran out of the house toward the street. Shortly afterward, Moore rushed out of the house, still pulling up his pants.
One of the neighbors who had knocked on the door recognized Moore, and about two hours later police tracked him to a relative’s house, where he was hiding in the clothes dryer.
Moore has several prior convictions: In September 2008, he pleaded guilty in four separate incidents of burglary of an inhabited dwelling and three incidents of attempting to burglarize homes; in December 2008, he pleaded guilty to trespassing; in March 2009, a jury found him guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm; and in April 2009, he pleaded guilty to simple battery. Moore may face up to life in prison, if he is sentenced under the state’s habitual offender law. A sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 11, 2017.
Assistant District Attorneys Blair Alford and Darrell Sims prosecuted the case.