Lavigne Ordered Back To Prison

The state Supreme Court has ordered Joseph Lavigne Jr. back to prison and denied him a new trial. Lavigne was released in May 2011 after serving 15 years for the sexual assault of his then five-year-old daughter, Katie Haught, who has publicly said her father was not her attacker. Former Putnam County Circuit Judge O.C. Spaulding overturned the 1996 conviction and ordered a new trial, ruling Lavigne's first trial included improper jury selection, an incorrect limit on character witnesses and insufficient evidence. Putnam County Prosecutor Mark Sorsaia appealed the decision to the state Supreme Court, saying it was arguably obvious to the state quite frankly that the Circuit Court of Putnam County imposed their personal opinions as to the facts of the case. Lavigne was sentenced to up to 50 years in prison. Lavigne’s first parole date is 2021, and his discharge date is 2035.