A Louisiana man, Cody Guccione, was convicted of second-degree murder last week after he brutally killed his friend, Leo Jack, in February 2021. The case details the chilling events surrounding the murder, where Guccione, 33, attacked his friend and then went to extreme lengths to conceal his crime.
According to prosecutors, Guccione and Jack had been friends for around three years. On the evening of February 3, 2021, Guccione went to Jack’s apartment, knocking on the door just before 6 p.m. When Jack opened the door, Guccione immediately launched a violent attack, stabbing him 13 times in the head, neck, and torso. After the brutal assault, Guccione dragged Jack’s body into a back bedroom and stuffed it into a closet.
Neighbors in the apartment complex helped investigators by providing crucial details about the time of the incident. One neighbor testified that he heard loud fighting coming from the apartment below him, which helped pinpoint when the attack occurred. In the aftermath of the stabbing, Guccione made an unusual and disturbing decision: he put on Jack’s clothes, including a distinctive pair of shoes. Surveillance footage from the building captured Guccione leaving the apartment wearing his victim’s clothes and carrying a trash can.
The shocking behavior didn’t stop there. A few hours after leaving the apartment, Guccione returned to the scene to vandalize Jack’s apartment, ripping down the doorbell camera that may have captured evidence of the crime. Investigators later managed to gather further evidence through cellphone data, which placed Guccione at the scene during the time of the murder.
It wasn’t until five days later that U.S. Marshals apprehended Guccione. In the subsequent investigation, prosecutors were able to secure an indictment against him for the murder of Jack. Despite the mounting evidence, the prosecutors did not publicly offer a clear motive for the attack, leaving many to speculate on the reasons behind the brutal act.
The jury’s conviction of Guccione provided a sense of closure for the victim’s family. Andi Lex, the assistant district attorney who led the prosecution, expressed gratitude for the jury’s attention to detail during the trial. She emphasized how the conviction brought some comfort to Jack’s family, who had been devastated by the loss. The trial itself was described as lengthy, with numerous witnesses and pieces of evidence presented, including the key surveillance footage and cellphone records.
Leo Jack, who was 32 years old at the time of his death, was remembered fondly by his loved ones. In his obituary, Jack was described as a lifelong resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, with a vibrant and kind personality. Known affectionately as “Yola,” he was said to have a giving spirit and a smile that could light up any room. His family and friends remember him for his humor and his ability to make everyone around him laugh.
Sentencing for Guccione is set to take place on March 11, 2025. He faces a potential life sentence in prison for the brutal murder of his friend, Leo Jack. While the motive for the crime remains unclear, the conviction marks a significant step toward justice for the victim and his grieving family.
