State 5th Circuit Appellate Judge Dies

HAHNVILLE, La. (AP) — The chief judge on the state's 5th Circuit Court of Appeal has died.

Debra Dufresne Vial, the daughter of Edward A. Dufresne Jr., says her father collapsed Tuesday at his company, the Jackie Bee Corp. in Luling. He was 72.

A spokesman for the court says Dufresne collapsed after an apparent heart attack. No other details were provided.

Dufresne was the last original member of the 5th Circuit, which was created in 1981, and was the longest sitting member on the current bench.

Funeral arrangements are pending.