Daigle Sentenced to Life for Privat Murder

By Gloria Way

  It took the jury about six hours last Friday, May 2, 2025, to find Thomas Daigle of Dayton guilty of the murder of businessman Scott Privat of Double Bayou, previously of Sea Brook.

 During the late evening of March 18, 2020, Daigle shot Privat five times in the carport of his home in Double Bayou. Daigle was intent on robbing Privat’s house as Privat was known to keep large quantities of cash and guns in his house. Daigle had been working as an electrician on Privat’s property and became aware of the presence of cash and guns on the property.

  According to prosecutors, Privat surprised Daigle by being home that evening. Daigle throws rocks on the tin roof of Privat’s house to draw him out of the house. Privat had been watching television in his recliner but walked out onto his carport to check out the noise. Daigle then shot Privat five times. Daigle entered the home searching for cash and guns. He found two safes, one in the master bedroom, and one in the living room. Daigle broke open both safes in the living room and stole between $10,000 to $13,000 in cash. Daigle also stole a pink and black revolver that was in a gun case on the nightstand in the master bedroom.

  After Daigle killed Privat, Daigle placed blankets over his body. Experts testified that the act of placing blankets on the victim was a sign that the killer probably knew the victim. Again, Daigle was working as an electrician on Privat’s property.

  It must be noted that the case against Daigle was based mostly on circumstantial evidence.

Circumstantial evidence is evidence that does not directly prove a fact but relies on inferences drawn from other facts. It’s also known as indirect evidence. Unlike direct evidence, which directly proves a fact, circumstantial evidence requires the jury to make a logical connection between the evidence presented and the conclusion being drawn. In criminal cases prosecutors often use circumstantial evidence to establish a link between the accused and the crime. Courts

generally treat circumstantial and direct evidence equally, if the circumstantial evidence is strong enough to prove the fact beyond a reasonable doubt.

  And, in this case, Chambers County prosecutor Mallory Vargas and special prosecutor Lindsey Scott, did a masterful job of bringing all the circumstantial evidence together to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Thomas Daigle shot and killed Scott Privat. Two witnesses, independent of each other, testified at length that Daigle told them that he had killed Privat. The other witness testified that she had been gifted the “spoils” of his deed (a pink and black revolver and cash to buy new tires for her truck and cash to pay for her divorce) on the day after the murder. The witness testified that she heard Daigle tell others that he had killed Privat. She testified that she heard Daigle tell someone “I shot because I was approached.” At the time of the murder, this witness lived in the same house as her daughters and Daigle, and Daigle was her oldest daughter’s boyfriend. The witness testified that she did not inform law enforcement about what she heard because she feared for her daughter and family, and was afraid she could not protect them. She also testified that after she spoke with law enforcement and told the truth, she had been labeled a “snitch” and fears for her life.

  Another important factor was the evidence of a cell phone which number was used by Thomas Daigle as his contact number. The phone number was on the account of the witness that testified she had received the gun and some cash from Daigle the day after the murder. Apparently, that phone number “pinged” on the cell tower that was close to Privat’s property at 11:30pm on the night of the murder. This meant that the cell phone was in close proximity to Privat’s property.

  The murder of Scott Privat remained unsolved for several months until a call was made to Crimestoppers on July 2, 2020. The anonymous tipster informed the authorities to contact a certain lady that lived with Daigle and his girlfriend. This lady was interviewed and told law enforcement that on the day after the murder Daigle gave her a pink and black revolver and cash. When she asked Daigle if the owner of the gun would be looking for it, he replied “the owner of this gun won’t be looking for it”. This lady was a reluctant witness during the trial and fears for her life. This is why her name will not be printed. After the interview, law enforcement received warrants to search Daigle’s home and vehicle. A black backpack was found in his vehicle that contained a black face mask, black gloves, a change of pants and a shell catcher that is attached to guns to catch shell casings when the gun is fired. No shell casings were found at the murder scene even though Privat was shot five times. Daigle was arrested on July 7, 2020.

  Daigle pleaded not guilty to all charges. He had been initially charged with capital murder with a life sentence and no chance of parole. Right before the trial, the state offered Daigle a plea deal. Daigle refused the deal and chose to go through with a jury trial.

  Before the jury began deliberations, presiding Judge Chap Cain, 253^rd District Court, instructed the jury that they could find the defendant (1) guilty of capital murder, (2) guilty of felony murder, and (3) not guilty. The jury returned with a guilty of felony murder verdict.

  Daigle was sentenced to life in prison.