News -> INDReporter TUE, SEP 7 11:20AM by Leslie Turk

Mysterious ‘Debbie’ corroborates claim Dartez failed to act

The woman who is a material witness in the ongoing investigation of Lafayette Police Maj. Glen Dartez, first identified by The Independent Weekly in last week’s cover story and known at the time only as Debbie, was interviewed Friday by KLFY TV10’s Chuck Huebner. In the exclusive TV interview, Debbie Richard confirmed that on June 11 Dartez turned down William Phillips Jr.’s request to help his girlfriend, Montie Martie, who died the following day. Though he had been fighting with her on the afternoon of June 11, Phillips has maintained that he tried to help Martie, whom he thought had slipped into a diabetic coma.

Dartez’s phone records, obtained by The Independent Weekly, reveal that he placed four phone calls from his cell phone to Richard's cell phone number on June 11, the first at 8:13 p.m. and the last at 11:09 p.m.

Richard told the TV station Dartez arrived at 202 Wilcox St., where Phillips lived with his girlfriend, Montie Martie, between 9 and 9:30 p.m. She said Phillips spotted Dartez’s unmarked police vehicle and asked the 34-year veteran if he were a police officer. When Dartez confirmed that he was but said he was off-duty, she says Phillips told him, “My girl is sick” and asked for help. She remembers Phillips mentioning something about Martie having diabetes and asking Dartez to call an ambulance. Dartez, according to Richard, told Phillips to leave him alone. “Maj. Dartez just told him to go away and didn’t even respond to helping him,” she told Huebner.

Richard, who claims Dartez is just a friend she has been knowing for a long time, says the veteran police officer was on the scene trying to convince her to leave with him. “I think he had kind of started liking me, but like I told him I don’t want a relationship with him,” she told the station. “He’s claimed things that I’m his girlfriend, but I don’t want to be his girlfriend.”

Dartez’s final call to Richard that night was placed at 11:09 p.m., about 20 minutes before the affidavit for William Phillips Jr.’s arrest indicates he called Acadian Ambulance for help, claiming a diabetic emergency. Phillips and Martie had several physical altercations the afternoon of June 11, and she died the following day of blunt force trauma to the head. Phillips is charged with second degree murder.

View TV10’s interview with Richard here.

The Independent Weekly was unable to reach Richard on her cell phone. What the phone records from the Lafayette Police Department also reveal is that Dartez called Richard back on her cell phone the following Monday, June 14, and she returned the cell phone call, two days after Montie Martie died. Police phone records also reveal that Dartez tried to reach Richard from his office phone four times that Monday; the two appear to have talked on his office phone only once on the 14th. Those phone calls further bring into question whether Dartez compromised the police department’s murder investigation — and leave unanswered if his friends in the department were complicit in his actions.

Though Martie died on June 12, an internal affairs investigation into Dartez’s presence on the scene and potential role in the subsequent murder investigation was not ordered by Police Chief Jim Craft until two months later. Since that time, the Louisiana State Police has launched its own investigation, which will be independent of the IA inquiry, and Craft has turned over the results of the IA investigation to District Attorney Mike Harson for further investigation and potential criminal charges.

Inexplicably, 57-year-old Dartez, who was in charge of the department’s criminal investigations division, was not placed on administrative leave until last week and is expected to announce his retirement shortly. He is one of only three majors in the department, making him among the three highest ranking officials under the chief.

Whether on or off duty, police officers are obligated to respond, and failure to do so constitutes a departmental violation and criminal offense under the malfeasance in office statute. Investigation into the latter offense is the reason the matter was turned over to DA Mike Harson, according to Craft. Malfeasance in office, or official misconduct, is the commission of an unlawful act, done in an official capacity, which affects the performance of official duties.


Comments (35)add
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written by SENSIBLE POLITICS , September 07, 2010 - 04:32 pm
Dartez ought not be allowed to retire until after the investigation. If police who are about to retire regardless of pending charges/investigations for wrong doing, they can adopt an attitude that citizens don't matter and thus take out their years of frustrations with the job and direct it ti the public.
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written by confused , September 07, 2010 - 06:05 pm
Tell me again why this guy couldn't call 911 himself?
and why did he go outside wandering around looking for help instead of calling?
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written by SENSIBLE POLITICS , September 07, 2010 - 06:57 pm
confused,

I believe he did not call 911 or help out himself is because he is a hateful human being. His sheer negligence should expose him to prison time as well as a denial of retirement benefits.

This man, a sworn police officer, allowed another human being to suffer and die without lifting a finger to help.

Shame on you Major Dartez, shame on you!
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written by beheard , September 07, 2010 - 07:08 pm
Confused, I was had the same question in mind. Why wouldn't the guy call 911 himself? My guess is that the officer may have been a familiar face to the suspect. If the officer neglected to help, that's horrible. Should be an interesting investigation.
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written by The Original Northsidian , September 07, 2010 - 07:20 pm
Confused. Are you actually trying to spin the story so Dartez and his cronies are off the hook? Like I previously stated: COPS COVER EACH OTHERS BACK. Are you a cop? The Lafayette good-ole-boy system is alive and well. Thank God for the Ind.!! If not for them we would never get the truth!! Maybe Dartez was working 3 jobs and was confused which one he was on!!
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written by SENSIBLE POLITICS , September 07, 2010 - 07:49 pm
I say, jail Dartez and let Williams and Hardy share a cell together.
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written by LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , September 07, 2010 - 08:04 pm
I agree that representative BIG SHOT MR. HARDY should share a jail cell with Major Dartez.

You see, Hardy, like Dartez, is standing by and doing nothing to help district 44.

Hardy should be calling 911 and summoning capital investment in 44.
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written by BoFred , September 07, 2010 - 09:02 pm
A police officer is NEVER off duty. Why is it that people get so full of their own self importance that "the little guy" doesn't matter, isn't worth the dust on his shoes. As much a pain in the butt it might be, the officer is always obligated to intervene. His retirement should be forfieted.
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written by LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , September 07, 2010 - 09:32 pm
I agree with you, BoFred, ..."so full of their own self importance", that clown is full of himself.

There must be something in the boudin that the're eating. We see the same behavior with representative SLICK RICK HARDY. Here is a man, just like Dartez, who is not even remotely interested in doing the job for which he took an oath.

Somebody back there need to change the reciepe for the boudin.

HARDY AND DARTEZ ARE TWINS OF DECEPTION!!
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written by SENSIBLE POLITICS , September 07, 2010 - 10:43 pm
I say fry em all.
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written by beheard , September 08, 2010 - 02:51 am
It is amazing how the name Rickey Hardy came into play, with this story. Come on guys, I was trying to refrain from talking about that guy this week. Damn, I forgot he probably did some research for this story also. Nah, he Dartez doesn't fit the bill.
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written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , September 08, 2010 - 03:26 am
Jesus , I don't know what Ricky did to Laf native, but he did it up-right cause Laf. native ain't never gonna get over whatever it was he did to po-bet, maybe he knocked Laf. native out of a job, like in representing Dist.44 ?
DARTEZ, HE WAS ON THE PROWL IN AN OFFICIAL CITY UNIT, SO HE COULD PROWL ON "BabyMama DEBBIE, while he was off-duty but he could'nt help a dying citizen, for fear that his catch may slip outta his trawl ! Here is what i'm wishing for Dartez, I hope he's married and his wife busts his ass in court ! Some family member should do an OJ on this idiot and take everything his wife doesn't take from this pitiful excuse of a human being, I got a hundred bucks to a dollar, Durel covers this career candy-asses, ass ! On second thought he'll let him retire, and collect full pension, because everytime a cop/official gets busted he "ALWAYS HAS ENOUGH VACATION & SICK LEAVE TO RETIRE, WITH NO PENALTY !!!
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written by LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , September 08, 2010 - 01:36 pm
So Ms. Turk, is MAJOR DARTEZ MARRIED?

NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN,

representative SLICK RICK MR. BIG SHOT HARDY did do me something. HE OFFENDED ME GREATLY. He's got my district (44) on a bended knee. HE'S got all of the jobs and PROSPERITY occuring on the Southside. He is a DISSAPOINTMENT to the NORTHSIDE.

Like DARTEZ, representative SLICK RICK HARDY is letting 44 suffer and die from the wounds inflicted by forty five years of sheer neglect. In the case of district 44, they haven't even made it to the hospital yet.

representative SLICK RICK MR. HARDY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR TAX FRAUD.

While The Independent searches for wrong doing by CHIEF CRAFT, A RESPECTED AN HONORABLE MAN, they need to search for the WRONG DOING OF representative SLICK RICK MR. HARDY.

DARTEZ AND HARDY NEEDS TO SHARE A JAIL CELL.

So Ms. Turk, is MAJOR DARTEZ MARRIED?

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written by SENSIBLE POLITICS , September 08, 2010 - 02:11 pm
We have to remember that a human being is DEAD. Her life is over because of a police officer, a MAJOR-a HIGH RANKING OFFICER. He sat back a let that mother, daughter, sister, die.

That is BIG, BIG NEWS.
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written by LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , September 08, 2010 - 02:20 pm
Ms. Turk, is MAJOR DARTEZ MARRIED?

Please inform your public.
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written by LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , September 08, 2010 - 03:48 pm
SENSIBLE POLITICS,

I agree. How would Major Dartez feel if a police officer refuse to help his wife, daughter, mother, or grand daughter.

I hope Leslie can give us the answer to your question as to whether or not Dartez is married.
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written by Weknowthetruth , September 08, 2010 - 06:39 pm
Dartez is not married. Let's try and stay on tract here guys. This is has nothing to do with the race of the victim, suspect, witness nor Dartez. And certainly not Ricky Hardy. If your feelings towards him are that passionate, start a website.
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written by LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , September 08, 2010 - 07:14 pm
Well, if he is not married, I can't fault him for being preoccupied with Debbie. However, I still fault him for not trying to save that girl's life.

Again, and like representative MR. BIG SHOT HARDY, MAJOR DARTEZ is NEGLECT AND DERILECT IN HIS DUTIES.

Now, I know that The Independent would rather we forget about Hardy's negligence because of their close ties to him, and that's perhaps why The Independent refuses to look into Hardy's possible TAX EVASION.

Be that as it may, Major Dartez MUST FACE CHARGES FOR THAT YOUNG LADY'S DEATH.
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written by Darealtruth , September 08, 2010 - 10:01 pm
WEKNOWTHETRUTH, sounds like you probably one of the officers that benefited from Dartez high ranking position in the department huh. What exactly is the truth you know because we all would like to hear it. You defend someone that has no self-respect for himself and no integrity. Exactly what did he accomplish in the 30 plus years of service, and I mean for the department and not for his own personal gain and those he took care of while he was there?
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written by LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , September 08, 2010 - 11:45 pm
Darealtruth,

The Independent does have its own chosen political leaders. I can name many of them, but I will name only two-SLICK RICK HARDY AND MAJOR DARTEZ.

This news paper always finds a way to shuffle off into a different direction whenever their chosen one is atacked.

For example, representative RICKEY HARDY. It is well known that this man may very well have not paid FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES on a business that he has owned for years.

The Independent refuses to do an investigative report on this because they favor representative SLICK RICK HARDY. It is well known throughout district 44 that representative HARDY has been grifting the government, yet because the people in 44 has no clout, The Independent treats them like a bastard child.

MAJOR DARTEZ receives similiar consideration from The Independent. Just look at the angry reply from WEKNOWTHETRUTH, (a representative of The Independent Staff)when asked if DARTEZ was married.


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written by Weknowthetruth , September 09, 2010 - 01:05 am
I do not defend Datez and certainly not Craft either. The decisions Dartez made were deplorable, if not criminal and at the very least show a great moral deficit. From watching and reading one might take notice, that while Craft was busy trying him through the media, he (Dartez)is unable to comment. His presence that night is not in question, that point has been established. The real question here is the why the Chief claims to be the only deaf and/or blind man within the department. A man that by his own admission is a confirmed micro-manager and this slips by him! However, all this being said, none of the information to date has any relevance to race. So yes to and your question, we do know the truth, do you?
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written by LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , September 09, 2010 - 06:34 pm
Weknowthetruth,

I will not make anymore comments, and I am considering quitting reading your newspaper. You guys, The Independent' are protecting DAVID VITTER, A SITTING US SENATOR, WHO BUYS PROSTITUTES, AND WHO PROMOTES A MAN (MR. FURER)WHO DAMM NEAR KILLED A WOMAN.

The same is true for SLICK RICK HARDY, A tax cheat.

The same is true for DARTEZ. Hear is a man who let a WOMAN DIE, YET, YOU ARE NOT DIGGING IN HIS BACKGROUND.

But for CHRIS WILLIAMS' 300K THEFT, YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN DIGGING IN HIS BACKGROUNG FOR MONTHS.
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written by What, me worry? , September 09, 2010 - 08:25 pm
The toughest, meanest, protected, corrupt, and most frightening gang in the City of Lafayette is the Lafayette City Police Department. Chief Craft will not turn against any of his people, no matter how egregious the offense, so the offense must be taken out of his hands to higher and/or federal authorities. All of Dartezs' years of service are rendered worthless by his lack of action and his uncaring, callous attitude that killed a woman. Regardless of her background and/or addicition(s), she is a citizen Dartez swore to serve and protect. He did neither and the result was the woman's death. This jackbooted thug mentality is quite prevelent within our Lafayette City Police Department. The majority of members of the LPD have the John Wayne Syndrome, want "the big busts," and do not care about the needs of the average citizen. We, the citizens of our fair city, must police the police. Make sure to video record our police all the time. Do not interfer with them, but we must exercise our First Amendment right in order to hold our powerful law enforcement thugs in check. Not only the LPD, but the City Marshal's Office must be held accountable as well. This situation with our PD is only going to get worse. Remember, video record their actions or lack thereof. Hold them accountable and make them perform their job properly, fairly, and legally.
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written by SENSIBLE POLITICS , September 09, 2010 - 09:02 pm
What, me worry, Don't forget the DA's office. They practice selective prosecution.
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written by DaRealTruth , September 09, 2010 - 09:04 pm
"What me worry", you are an idiot! Obviously you were arrested for breaking the law and now have a personal issue with the police, wow thats a new one huh. And to dear "Weknowthetruth", it does sound like you are defending Dartez and you still didnt list a single accomplishment he made in 30 years of service. Craft has done many good things for his department, no one can deny this. In closing please deliver this message to the one you defend... For many years Dartez has forced others to drink the kool-aid and now all ask, How does it taste?!!
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written by LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA , September 09, 2010 - 09:59 pm
DaRealTruth, I agree that Craft is a good man. I also agree that the Independent is bias. The Independent defends DARTEZ, HARDY and others.

The Independent keeps HARDY wrong doing uninvestigated, and They would rather nor discuss DARTEZ'S HISTORY WITH THE LPD.
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written by The Original Northsidian , September 09, 2010 - 10:36 pm
Cali man, don't let the door hit you in the ass!! This forum will not miss you!! $300,000, my god man they send brothers to Angola for stealing a set of tires!!
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written by What, me worry? , September 09, 2010 - 11:07 pm
Hey Da! You are obviously one of the members of the LPD I so accurately described. The truth hurts.
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written by Weknowthetruth , September 10, 2010 - 01:10 am
Darealtruth, You might think I drank the kool-aid but I think you must be drinking the Miller Lite with Craft. Dartez has accomplished little to nothing in his 34 years of service other than taking up oxygen and I have never stated otherwise. As far as what Craft has done for the department lets take losing his weapon and days later having officers file burglary report, drinking and driving a city vehicle and then there is always the Festival International incident this year. Thats some accomplishments...A Chief we can all be proud of. LOL
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written by True dat! , September 10, 2010 - 06:25 am
DaRealTruth, What, me worry? makes valid points and why must anyone who questions police and/or their actions have had problems with the police? You are a member of the LPD and there is no doubt of that. While we should support our police, we must not and cannot accept nor condone their actions as gospel. All accomplishments of Dartez during his career are rendered moot by him not assisting the woman who died. The same is true of Craft whose lack of action lends the overwhelming appearance of impropriety to his part in this debacle. With that in mind, I do agree with video recording the actions of our LPD and City Marshall's office by citizens as often as possible. Their past and present behavior, as documented in "The Independent" and other local media, demands that they be monitored by the people.
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written by Darealtruth , September 10, 2010 - 11:44 pm
Weknowthetruth, you forgot to mention that your boss at the Indepenent was arrested in a sobriety checkpoint the week before this story became breaking news. Im sure all the publicity your organization has promoted against the police the week after being arrested was a mere coincidence. :)
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written by Darealtruth , September 11, 2010 - 02:15 am
If this organization is truly "Independent" then this response will be posted. Weknowthetruth failed to mention that one of the bosses at the Independent was arrested in a sobriety checkpoint by the police a week prior to this story becoming breaking news. Im sure its all a coincidence that there is so many one sided opinions directed at our local police on this "Independent" forum! :)
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written by True dat! , September 11, 2010 - 11:40 pm
So, Da real truth, you are a cop, an unscrupulous cop, and a cop who resorts to coersion. You should turn in your shield as you are a disgrace along with many others in the LPD.
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written by JustaULStudent , September 12, 2010 - 11:35 pm
Okay people, I did my homework. The article was in the works long before anybody got arrested at an OWI check point. This was common knowledge within the paper and the Police Department. Craft was interviewed prior to the OWI checkpoint resulting in her arrest. Could it be that Craft is targeting The Independent and not the other way around? So Crafts handgun was lost and he reported it stolen, that is old news. What happen at Festival International? What about officers shamed for not willingly participating in cutting a citizen yard notwithstanding the potential legal repercussions. What is wrong with you Chief, why don't you go cut the grass? This is almost ridiculous and this is what our officers have to deal with on a daily basis. The things our officers are subjected to is absurd, just ask a few of them. Oh I'm sorry they can't talk to the public. Maybe you can ask them privately...?
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written by keeplafayettepdhonest , September 13, 2010 - 02:25 am
Da what ever; you obviously didn't confirm your facts and wanted to make this blog about someone targeting the P.D. I was able to confirm (before posting) that in fact the interview was taken before the OWI checkpoint, which blows your conspiracy theory. We are not trying to confirm "who killed JFK". Instead of blindly assuming that all parties are out to ruin your reputation why not be honest? Remember, the truth will set you free. Do you even remember what is true...? To many witnesses for you to forget. Just remember one thing, his name is Randy Hundley. He had the same mind-set as you.
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