On the night before Thanksgiving Day in 1996, Jessie Hoffman kidnapped, robbed, and raped Mary “Molly” Elliot. He then marched her—still naked—“down a dirt path which was overgrown with vegetation and in an area full of trash used as a dump.” State v. Hoffman, 768 So. 2d 542, 550 (La. 2000). “Her death march ultimately ended at a small, makeshift dock” on Middle Pearl River, where Hoffman “forced [her] to kneel” and “shot [her] in the head, execution style.” Id. She “likely survived for a few minutes after being shot.” Id. But she was not discovered until Thanksgiving Day, when a duck hunter came across her naked body on the dock. Id. at 549. For his part, Hoffman “soon thereafter” took his girlfriend shopping with Molly’s money. Id. at 550. 

“On March 18, 2025, the State of Louisiana will execute Hoffman by nitrogen hypoxia for Molly’s murder. We have and will continue to vigorously defend the State’s obligation to carry out this sentence and bring justice to the family and friends of Molly Elliot.” – Attorney General Liz Murrill

The Court should deny Hoffman’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction, if not dismiss his Complaint outright.

There is a hearing on this case at 9 a.m. Friday, at the U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, in front of Judge Dick.

Read our full opposition brief here.