The Vigilante: The Story of Gary Plauché

The Man Behind the Headlines

Leon Gary Plauché, born on November 10, 1945, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, lived a life that most would consider ordinary—until it took an extraordinary turn. Known to his friends and family simply as Gary, he was a man deeply rooted in his community. A former sergeant in the United States Air Force, Plauché later worked as a heavy equipment salesman. His personal life was not without its challenges; he was separated from his wife, June, with whom he shared four children, including their son, Joseph Boyce "Jody" Plauché.

On March 16, 1984, Plauché became a national figure when he shot and killed Jeffrey Doucet, a karate instructor who had kidnapped and abused his son. This act, captured on video by a local news crew, catapulted him into the limelight and sparked a heated debate about justice and vigilantism.

The Kidnapping of Jody Plauché

The story begins in 1983 when Jody, then 11 years old, started taking karate lessons from Jeffrey Doucet, a 25-year-old instructor. Unknown to Jody’s family, Doucet had sinister intentions. Over the course of a year, he sexually abused Jody, manipulating the trust of a family undergoing separation.

On February 14, 1984, Doucet's depravity reached a new level as he kidnapped Jody and took him to a motel in Anaheim, California. There, Doucet continued his abuse. The nationwide search for Jody came to an end when Doucet allowed him to make a collect call to his mother. This call led California police to raid the motel on February 29, where they arrested Doucet without incident.

Jody was safely returned to his family in Louisiana on March 1. The emotional turmoil Gary felt upon discovering the extent of Doucet’s abuse was overwhelming. In a television interview, he expressed his helplessness, unable to comprehend or cope with the horror inflicted on his son.

The Killing of Jeffrey Doucet

As Doucet was transported back to Louisiana to face trial, Plauché was preparing for an encounter that would change the course of his life. On March 16, 1984, Doucet arrived at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. The local ABC affiliate, WBRZ-TV, had informed Plauché of Doucet's arrival time, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation.

The airport was bustling with activity, including a news crew ready to capture Doucet’s arrival on tape. Meanwhile, Plauché, disguised in a baseball cap and sunglasses, waited by a bank of payphones. His heart pounded as he tracked the progress of Doucet’s escort through the reflection of camera lights.

As Doucet walked past the cameras, he also passed by Plauché. Without hesitation, Plauché raised a gun and shot Doucet in the head at close range. The sound of the gunshot echoed through the terminal, and Doucet collapsed, blood oozing from a wound near his right ear. Plauché calmly placed the phone receiver down as officers restrained him, asking repeatedly, "Gary, why? Why, Gary?"

The video footage of Doucet’s shooting went viral long before the internet age, capturing a scene that left the nation stunned. Doucet slipped into a coma and died the following day, March 17, 1984.

Legal Proceedings and Public Reaction

Initially, Plauché faced a charge of second-degree murder. However, a plea bargain reduced the charge to manslaughter. The court sentenced him to a seven-year suspended sentence, five years of probation, and 300 hours of community service. By 1989, Plauché completed his sentence without serving any prison time.

Psychiatrists, including Edward P. Uzee, played a critical role in the courtroom. Uzee's evaluation suggested that Plauché was temporarily unable to discern right from wrong due to the psychological trauma inflicted by Doucet's abuse of his son. The defense argued that Plauché acted in a psychotic state, driven by the shocking revelations about Doucet's actions. Judge Frank Saia ultimately decided that imprisoning Plauché would serve no purpose, as he posed no further threat to society.

The footage of the shooting became infamous, appearing in various documentaries and television programs, including the 1994 shockumentary "Traces of Death II" and Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine." The video also gained traction on YouTube, amassing over 20 million views.

Gary Plauché remained unrepentant until his death, stating in a 67-year-old interview that he had no regrets and would take the same actions again. His son, Jody, initially upset at the loss of someone he considered a mentor, eventually reconciled with his father's actions. Jody went on to become an advocate for sexual abuse awareness and worked at the Victim Services Center of Montgomery County as a sexual assault counselor.

Final Years and Legacy

Gary Plauché’s life came to a quiet end on October 20, 2014, at the age of 68, after suffering a stroke in 2011 and another in 2014. His story remains a controversial chapter in the discussion of justice, vigilantism, and parental protection.

In 2019, Jody published a book entitled "Why, Gary, Why?: The Jody Plauché Story," offering personal insights and reflections on the events that shaped his family's legacy. As of 2024, Jody continued to express gratitude for his life and his father, whom he called "the greatest dad of all time."

Sources

For further reading and a comprehensive list of references, see the Wikipedia entry on Gary Plauché.