BATON ROUGE — Gad Black, accused of killing a Baton Rouge Police sergeant in an “intentional, targeted hit” in June 2025?, wants to represent himself in court, his attorney said Monday.
Black, 42, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Sgt. Caleb Eisworth, whose motorcycle was deliberately hit by a truck on June 16. Eisworth was dragged nearly 500 feet and died from his injuries two months after the crash.
MORE Grand Jury indicts Gad Black on first-degree murder for death of BRPD officer Caleb Eisworth
Black was arrested a short time after the crash, along with his girlfriend. Charges against the girlfriend were later dropped.
Black’s family has said he was in the throes of “a serious mental health crisis” at the time. In December, he was found competent to stand trial.
MORE Man accused of intentionally targeting, killing an officer found competent to stand trial
Defense attorney Mike Fiser said Black told the court Monday that he wants to represent himself. Judge Don Johnson asked the defense to file a motion regarding Black’s competency to do that and scheduled a hearing for May 21.
“We will continue to represent Mr. Black unless and until the court determines otherwise,” Fiser said.
Improper statement suppressed
Judge Johnson ruled Monday that a recorded statement Black made after his arrest cannot be used against him because deputies questioned him after he asked for an attorney.
Even before Black was read his Miranda rights, he told deputies “I need a lawyer present. I don’t really need to talk about no case,” according to Fiser’s motion to suppress the statement.
Prosecutors did not oppose the motion, acknowledging in their response that the statement was inadmissible.
District Attorney Hillar Moore said recordings from an in-car camera and social media posts made by Black make that statement unnecessary.
Moore has said that he is considering seeking the death penalty for Black.
Black has been held without bond since his arrest.
‘A tremendous officer’ killed
Eisworth was on his way to a work-related escort assignment on his motorcycle on Joor Road near Prescott Road when a truck deliberately hit him and dragged him nearly 500 feet.
He was critically injured. Despite several surgeries, including the amputation of both of his legs, the 23-year BRPD veteran died on Aug. 10.
Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse Jr. called Eisworth a “tremendous officer,” noting that he had served 18 of his 23 years in the department’s Motors Division.
National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall
The department is working with the Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Foundation to raise money to cover the cost of sending officers to Washington D.C. next month, when Eisworth’s name will be added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall during National Police Week ceremonies.
The memorial event includes speeches, a candlelight vigil, and a reading of the names of fallen officers.
“We are looking to send as many officers as possible to join myself and Darla, Caleb’s wife, and his family to Washington, D.C. in May for the law enforcement memorial,” Morse said.
MORE Help send Sgt. Eisworth’s coworkers to D. C.
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