Carol and Andrew Stamm have appealed their case to the 24th JDC. Their appeal will be heard before Judge Stephen Enright on Dec 2, 2026, at 9am, in the Gretna Courthouse at 200 Derbigny Street. It is a trial de novo––a full trial without a jury with sworn testimony and records. The Stamms will need the Purple Martin supporters, decked out in purple clothing and hats, to observe the proceedings. Mark your calendar!

Also, on Sep 23, 2026 at 9am, Judge Enright will hear any pre-trial motions filed by the parties. For the Stamms, these motions will address several issues including double jeopardy since the Harahan trial this past March 25th was the third time the Stamms had been before the court on the exact same charge. It would be great if supporters could appear for that hearing as well. Mark your calendar for both dates!

Finally, if you haven't yet, please urge your family and friends to contact the mayor and ask him to drop the case. Mayor Baudier has the power to do this at any time.

The Stamms' attorney had a meeting with the Judge’s Office on Tues May 12th. There will be NO Motions Hearing on May 20. And, at this time, there are no dates at all on the calendar. When dates are scheduled, we will post them here. Thank you for your engagement and support.

It was previously posted on this Harahan Residents and Supporters for Purple Martins FB page that there will be a trial on June 17 at the Gretna courthouse. Now that is NOT happening. The Stamms will meet with their attorney, Andrew Wilson on Friday May 8. There is supposed to be a Motions Hearing (no witnesses) on May 20 (but, that date could also change). Stay tuned for more details and thank you for your support!

On Wed March 25 at 10a, Harahan Mayor Tim Baudier's personal divorce attorney will preside as the Magistrate in a criminal nuisance case filed by the City against Carol & Andrew Stamm. They are charged with providing nest boxes for a migrating songbird, for 12 weeks a year. The Stamms are not criminals. Please show up in support at 6437 Jeff Hwy. Please join us on the Stamms' side of the room and show your support for purple martins.

Meg Farris with Channel 4 interviewed the Stamms today. The segment will air at 6pm tonight!

I received this message today from Andrew Wilson, the Stamm's attorney.
Ad Hoc Judge Fanguy denied the Motion to recuse Mayor Baudier's personal divorce attorney from presiding as the Magistrate in the Purple Martin nuisance case. This case was filed by the City of Harahan based on complaints from a handful of neighbors led by Steve Peyronnin. A trial will be set in February or March. Stand by.

In the past few weeks, we found out Harahan Mayor Tim “Alka Seltzer” Baudier had selected his personal divorce attorney (an apparent conflict of interest) to preside as the Magistrate in the purple martin nuisance case filed by the City based on complaints from a handful of neighbors led by Steve Peyronnin.

The Stamm's attorney requested a Motion to Recuse the divorce attorney and to postpone the Dec 17th trial based on these and other issues. At a hearing on Wed Dec 10th, Appeals Judge Donald “Chick” Foret quickly agreed to postpone the trial. Also, the City capitulated and agreed to request the La Supreme Court to appoint a Judge to oversee the recusal hearing.

During this process, we also found out that at least four attorneys and their law firms are currently being paid for this, the third and latest prosecution effort after the City already spent at least $20,000 in the first two unsuccessful prosecutions!

Bottom line, trial is postponed indefinitely until the issues above are resolved. This is good tidings for the purple martins because once they occupy the nesting gourds, they cannot be disturbed due the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Therefore, the birdies should enjoy another breeding season at the ever popular “Maison Stamm.” Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

REMINDER!!!
A retired couple in Harahan are being charged as criminals for providing nest boxes in their back yard for a migrating songbird. Please come out to support the couple and the purple martins! The hearing is Thu Nov 13, 2025 at 5pm at Harahan City Hall, 6437 Jeff Hwy. Carol and Andrew Stamm's attorney, the Magistrate and the Special Prosecutor will discuss Motions. Should Motions be unsuccessful, a full trial is set for Wed Dec 17 at 5:00 at same location. Your presence at both events will help. Also, please send a letter to Mayor Baudier asking him to drop the case.

https://rallystarter.com/rally/1889/louisiana-couple-prosecuted-for-helping-migrating-birds

The hearing is now Nov 13, 2025. Please join the Stamms at 5pm at Harahan City Hall, 6437 Jefferson Highway. Carol and Andrew Stamm are being charged as criminals for providing nest boxes for purple martins. The Stamms' attorney, the Magistrate and the Special Prosecutor will discuss Motions. Should Motions be unsuccessful, a full trial is set for Wed Dec 17 at 5:00 at same location. Your presence at both events will help the Stamms and the purple martins.

On Oct 9, 2025, the Stamms attended City Hall in Harahan to plead Not Guilty to the crime of providing nest boxes for Purple Martins chicks. The Stamms' attorney, the Magistrate and the Special Prosecutor now must agree on a date for a hearing to discuss Motions. Please check back for further updates. And thank you for supporting Purple Martins.

The City of Harahan has issued a new summons in the case of the Purple Martins. Carol & Andrew Stamm must appear on Thur Oct 9 in Harahan City Hall at 5 p.m. where they will plead Not Guilty for their 'crime' of providing nest boxes for migrating songbirds. Apparently the Stamm's neighbor who lives across the street won't let it go.

Update from the Stamms' attorney: "As anticipated based upon my conversations with the Harahan Clerk of Court the day before, the Magistrate and Prosecutor recused themselves- the former is/was friends with a Councilman and the latter, a neighbor. So, the arraignment was continued until such time as both new appointees are installed. That could be months."

I will continue to provide updates as they become available. Meanwhile, thank you for supporting Purple Martins.

On Tue Aug 27, the Magistrate and Special Prosecutor recused themselves and the Mayor and Council will have to pick new ones. This will be the 4th Magistrate. Stand by for a more formal explanation from the Stamm's attorney.

Believe it or not, the Complainer has filed new charges with the City of Harahan against the Stamms for the crime of helping migrating songbirds. 

Please come to the hearing and show your support for Purple Martins at Harahan City Hall, 6437 Jefferson Hwy on Wed Aug 27th at 5:00. Do it for the baby birdies.

I have an update on the Purple Martin Saga in the City of Harahan in Louisiana. I am pleased to alert you of two things:

1) On May 5, 2025, I will file a Public Records Request with the City of Harahan to find out how much taxpayer money was spent treating Carol and Andrew Stamm like criminals for providing nest boxes to a migrating songbird, and

2) To date, the complainer, Steve Peyronnin of Harahan has not refiled a complaint.

I attended the hearing Monday night March 24th. This summary below was prepared by Attorney Andrew Wilson who represents the Stamms.

"...The special Prosecutor appeared at the hearing and conceded that the Stamms argument was valid but then suggested that the matter had to be transferred back to the Council to be heard under the old law which required a hearing before the Council. The Stamms then pointed out that this was not really a solution, since the previous Magistrate had ruled that the Council would violate the State Constitution and the Lawrason Act if it heard the case. But this Magistrate transferred it anyway.

At this point, if the Council attempts to hear the case, the Stamms will cite the opinion of the City’s own official Magistrate indicating to do so would violate the law. Meanwhile, Stephen Peyronin, the Complaining neighbor who originally started this whole legal mess, was recently spotted photographing a bird dropping on the window of a car parked near the Stamms’ home. This suggested he intends to pursue a whole new nuisance case. Ironically, this dropping has now been confirmed as being left by a berry eating bird, not a purple martin, as they only eat insects many of which are harmful to humans."

So yes, Monday was a win. Celebratory glasses were clinked. But this story may not be officially over. Check back at this Rally page for updates!

Another hearing will take place on Mar 24 at 5p in Harahan chambers at 6437 Jeff Hwy. Come join me!

Andrew and Carol Stamm provide nest boxes for a Purple Martin colony. The City of Harahan in Louisiana is prosecuting the Stamms for "harboring a nuisance" and seeks to have the housing removed and the Stamms may be liable for many thousands in fines. But there's a problem for Harahan! AFTER citing the couple, Harahan changed its laws which now made the Stamm's maintenance of nest boxes a CRIMINAL offense.

At the March 10 hearing two days ago, nearly 20 people showed up to support the colony. The Magistrate recognized the Stamms’ position was correct, and decided to give Harahan one more chance to address the issue. Another hearing will now take place on Mar 24 at 5p in Harahan chambers at 6437 Jeff Hwy. If the Stamms prevail, the case will be dismissed. If not, the case will go to trial on March 31.

Thank you for your support of Purple Martins.

Carol & Andrew Stamm's attorney impressed the magistrate when he objected to how the Harahan City Council changed the nuisance law after the complaint was filed. So a new hearing is now set for Mon Mar 10 at 5p with the trial to follow two days later IF NEEDED on Wed Mar 12 at 5:00p. A packed chamber hall will definitely help. See you at 6437 Jeff Hwy. Meanwhile, the Stamms are concerned about the future of the Purple Martin colony which depends on them.

According to the Stamm's attorney, the costs to the Stamms, should they lose the case, could fall in the range of $40-$70,000.

Please come to the hearing and show your support.
Harahan City Hall, 6437 Jefferson Hwy
Mon Feb 11 at 5:00

Should Motions be unsuccessful, on Mon, a full trial is set for Feb 12 at 5:00 at same location. Your presence at both events may make the Magistrate less likely to issue an unpopular ruling.

Enjoy the Superbowl! See you on Monday in Harhan!

The bizarre story about a retired Harahan couple being prosecuted for providing nest boxes for migrating songbirds is not over.

A hearing on all pending Motions is on Feb 10th. If Motions are unsuccessful, full trial is set for two days later!

A packed room of supporters will help. Be at 6437 Jefferson Hwy, Harahan at 5p on Feb 10, 2025.

In the meantime, please join the FB group called Harahan Residents and Supporters for Purple Martins.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2029954654174314/

In closing, this is not about Carol and Andrew. It's about the livelihoods of the purple martins. Period.