Burt Anthony Templet, a 53-year-old man from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died on June 6, 2019, following a violent confrontation with his son three days earlier. The events that led to his death unfolded in the early morning hours of June 3, 2019, at their home. His son, then 17-year-old Anthony Templet, made a chilling 911 call in which he confessed to shooting his father. During the call, Anthony stated, 'He tried to attack me. Then, we got into a fist fight.
Then, I ran in his room, closed the door and got a gun.' He admitted to shooting his father three times. Burt Templet was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Initially, Anthony Templet was arrested and charged with attempted manslaughter, but after his father's death, the charge was upgraded to manslaughter and later to second-degree murder. The case, however, was far from a straightforward patricide. As the investigation progressed, a dark and complex family history began to emerge, painting a picture of years of abuse and isolation. Anthony's family members came forward, alleging that Burt had subjected his son to long-term physical and mental abuse. It was revealed that Burt had taken Anthony from their home in Texas when he was just five years old, and for over a decade, the boy's mother and sister did not know his whereabouts. His sister, Natasha, described their father as 'evil' and their home life as 'extremely violent.'
The defense argued that Anthony acted in self-defense, a culmination of years of suffering at the hands of his father. This narrative of abuse significantly influenced the legal proceedings. Prosecutors began to see the case in a new light, acknowledging the severe neglect and abuse Anthony had endured. This led to a significant shift in the charges. Rather than facing a lengthy prison sentence for murder or manslaughter, Anthony was offered a plea deal.
In March 2021, Anthony Templet pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of negligent homicide. He was sentenced to five years of supervised probation with credit for the time he had already served. As part of his probation, he was required to obtain his high school diploma, attend counseling, and either maintain a full-time job or be enrolled in school. The judge's decision reflected a belief that incarceration would not serve justice for a young man who had never been given a fair chance at life. The case gained national attention and was the subject of the Netflix documentary 'I Just Killed My Dad,' which delved into the complex dynamics of the Templet family and the tragic events that led to Burt's death.
