Header Image: LSU Deputy General Counsel Carlton “Trey” Jones
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A high-level LSU attorney who was observing a court hearing in the Professor Ken Levy case has been banned from the courtroom and faces possible penalties after discussing secret testimony with a witness.
19th District Court Judge Tarvald Smith decided to oust LSU Deputy General Counsel Carlton “Trey” Jones from the courtroom after the judge questioned Jones on the stand Tuesday afternoon.
“You did violate my Order of Sequestration,” Judge Smith said. The judge told Jones he would not be allowed back in the courtroom for the remainder of the hearing and said he reserved the right to hand down additional penalties against Jones at a later time.
Judge Smith is overseeing an evidentiary hearing in the case of LSU law professor Ken Levy who is seeking a court order to allow him to return to teaching at the university.
At the start of the hearing on Monday, the witnesses were sequestered, meaning they were not allowed in the courtroom unless they were personally testifying at the time.
The issue arose when Levy’s attorney, Jill Craft, found out that Jones told LSU Law School Dean Alena Allen, who is a witness in the hearing, about evidence that was discussed in the courtroom.
Allen was being sequestered outside the courtroom at the time that another witness testified Tuesday morning about a student who secretly recorded her conversation with Allen.
After that testimony, the LSU attorney, Trey Jones, admits he talked to Allen about the recording as the two were walking to lunch.
Jones repeatedly apologized and told the judge he thought the recording was common knowledge. Jones said he did not know he was revealing secretive court testimony to the dean.
LSU removed Professor Levy from the classroom after he gave a profanity-laced lecture last month that included unflattering remarks about both Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and President Donald Trump.
Levy is seeking a restraining order that would force LSU to return him to the classroom.
The professor remains on paid leave as LSU conducts its own investigation into the matter.
https://www.wafb.com/2025/02/11/judge-kicks-lsu-lawyer-out-courtroom/
