On February 17, 2012, a horrific home invasion in Gonzales, Louisiana, left Robert Irwin Marchand, 74, his wife Shirley Marchand, 71, and her son Douglas Dooley, 50, dead, their throats slashed in a robbery targeting a safe of rare coins. The Ascension Parish community, known for its close-knit bonds, was shaken by the brutality. All five perpetrators—Michael Aikens, Bernard R. James, Rolando Durrell Stewart, Travis Moore, and Devon Tremain James—were convicted, bringing justice but no closure to a devastated town. Bristol Blog examines this case as part of its focus on violent crime and justice.

Crime Details

The attack occurred at the Marchand home on Cante Rd., Gonzales. Robert Irwin Marchand and Douglas Dooley were killed instantly, their throats cut, while Shirley Marchand, critically injured, died later in hospital. Neighbors described the Marchands as “wonderful, generous people” with “character,” expressing horror at the senseless violence. The motive was a rare coin collection, valued at $500,000, stolen from a safe. Michael Aikens, a former employee of Mr. Marchand, was among the perpetrators, exploiting his knowledge of the family’s wealth, as reported by WBRZ.

Robert and Shirley Marchand

Robert and Shirley Marchand

Investigation and Arrests

Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested three suspects days after the murders: Rolando Durrell Stewart, 22, Travis Moore, 19, and Michael Aikens, 35, followed by Bernard R. James, 25, and Devon Tremain James, 24. A tip led to the arrests, with Stewart already in jail for an unrelated shooting, per WBRZ. A torched safe, found in Livingston Parish off the Frost exit, contained one Morgan Silver Dollar in a protective sleeve with handwritten notes, matching the Marchand inventory, confirming the robbery motive, as reported by The Advocate.

Five men slashed the throats of Robert Irwin Marchand, Shirley Marchand, and Douglas Dooley

Convictions and Sentences

All five were convicted, avoiding the death penalty through plea bargains or trials. Michael Aikens and Bernard R. James, central figures, received life sentences without parole for three counts of first-degree murder. Rolando Durrell Stewart, also convicted of unrelated attempted second-degree murder, was sentenced to 63 years at hard labor. Travis “Buddah” Moore, who agreed to testify, received 26 years. Devon Tremain James, who lent his Suburban for the robbery and helped dispose of the safe, got 15 years, per The Advocate. Most were repeat offenders, highlighting recidivism concerns.

Conclusion

The Gonzales triple murder of the Marchand family and Douglas Dooley shocked a peaceful community, exposing the brutality of greed-driven crime. The convictions of Aikens, James, Stewart, Moore, and James delivered justice, but the loss remains profound. Bristol Blog documents this case to underscore the need for robust crime prevention and recidivism reforms, urging communities to stay vigilant and policymakers to address systemic gaps in the justice system.

References

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