Assistant DA Jenny Donaghey-Beckham Appointed Chief Prosecutor for Division A⭐️

AVOYELLES PARISH, La. — Assistant District Attorney Jenny Donaghey-Beckham has been appointed Chief Prosecutor of Division A Criminal Court for the 12th Judicial District Court, serving Avoyelles Parish.

Donaghey-Beckham has been with the Avoyelles Parish District Attorney’s Office since 2014 and brings more than ten years of prosecutorial experience to her new leadership role. She currently handles a significant felony docket that includes violent and high-risk offenses such as drive-by shootings, sex crimes, and murder cases.

Throughout her career, Donaghey-Beckham has secured multiple major convictions, including two recent jury verdicts that resulted in effective life sentences. Those cases—one for second-degree murder and one for molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13—were upheld by the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal.

Her appointment was made by Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charles Riddle, following the resignation of former Division A Chief Prosecutor Jonathon Gaspard. Gaspard stepped down after more than a decade with the office to focus on his campaign for district attorney in the 2026 election.

 “Changes have been made to the Avoyelles’s Parish District attorney‘s office. Jonathon Gaspard has resigned as an ADA.  Cole Milligan has been appointed assistant DA effective January 1. Also effective January 1 is Jenny Donaghey as Chief of Division A Court.”

In her new capacity, Donaghey-Beckham will oversee all felony prosecutions assigned to Division A and will additionally serve as legal counsel to the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury.