The defense lawyer who stood steadfastly by the late Kyren Lacy, Matt Ory, soon emerged as a pivotal figure in a case that brought together emotional collapse, public scrutiny, and legal complexity. His quest for the truth seemed incredibly personal, as if he were not only protecting his client’s reputation but also reviving trust in a legal system that had crumbled under duress.
Ory understood early on how quickly stories take shape and become established, particularly when an athlete’s reputation is at stake. Before a trial even started, some people had already declared Lacy guilty of causing a fatal accident in December 2024. For Ory, this was about the premature loss of human dignity, not just about the evidence. Instead of hiding behind legal silence, his approach—which was especially novel in its transparency—was to make the case public.
Ory showed footage during his live appearance on Houma’s HTV that was remarkably explicit in its meaning: The cars that collided were not in front of Kyren Lacy; rather, he was behind them, approximately 72 yards behind. The comprehension of the crash sequence was significantly enhanced by that one detail. It transformed suspicion into skepticism, and skepticism into the potential for total innocence.
Kyren Lacy’s Attorney — Profile & Professional Information
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Matthew “Matt” Ory |
| Profession | Criminal defense attorney |
| Known For | Representing the late former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy |
| Role in Lacy’s Case | Released new video evidence; challenged official crash narrative |
| Public Statements | Accused investigation of being overzealous; backed independent review |
| Relation to District Attorney | Supported DA’s own review while maintaining defense posture |
| Media Presence | Interviewed on HTV, local news outlets, responded to State Police releases |
| Reference | Reuters article on attorney statements Reuters |
He clarified that data from the District Attorney’s office and the video analysis demonstrated that Lacy was already back in his lane and operating his vehicle safely at the time of the accident. During the interview, Ory stated calmly, “He couldn’t have possibly caused that crash at that point.” His reasoning was human in addition to being logical. It struck a chord because it gave someone who was unable to defend themselves a voice again.
Ory’s defense was exceptionally successful because he refused to allow bureaucracy to trump the facts. He drew attention to contradictions in the Louisiana State Police’s reporting, citing bodycam footage purportedly showing a trooper giving a witness advice on what to write in a statement. Long-standing faith in official procedure was called into question by that discovery alone, which sent shockwaves through the legal and media communities.
Ory’s interviews turned into frank advocacy sessions. He spoke as someone who was acutely aware of how injustice can ruin a life, rather than as a lawyer reciting a line from a script. When Ory described Lacy’s last days, he said, “He begged me to help him.” His words had a quiet weight. The case’s emotional center was that heartfelt and haunting plea, which served as a reminder of how easily young athletes can be overwhelmed by social media trials before the truth is even known.
“The evidence submitted in the crash report does not support that Kyren Lacy should have known his actions were the cause,” said Kristine Russell, the district attorney, who later confirmed findings that bolstered Ory’s claim. This was a validation of patience and strategy for a defense lawyer. But for Ory, it was too late—two days prior to the grand jury hearing, Lacy had already committed suicide.
Ory has established a reputation for being extremely effective under duress throughout his career, frequently fusing moral clarity with legal accuracy. According to colleagues, he is incredibly resilient—someone who maintains their position even when the public becomes hostile. He was especially brave in his handling of the Lacy case; rather than merely disputing the State Police’s conclusions, he called for complete accountability and sided with community organizations like the NAACP that demanded changes to the agency’s leadership.
His approach to defense, which was very different from traditional courtroom tactics, was based on openness with the public. Ory changed the focus of the discussion from guilt and accusations to justice and ethics by taking advantage of media attention. Although some saw it as theatrical, the move ultimately had a significant impact and encouraged other defense lawyers to use similar open-communication strategies in well-known cases.
Since then, legal experts have noted how Ory’s work remarkably resembles defense tactics used in situations where public narratives outweigh legal facts, like in the cases of Richard Jewell or Amanda Knox. Kyren Lacy, like them, was accused before being given a chance to defend himself. Ory’s perseverance served as a contemporary echo of those poorly considered tales, highlighting the fact that haste in judgment can work against justice.
Ory carried out his mission in the weeks following Lacy’s passing. He applauded the DA’s choice to confirm police findings and publicly urged Louisiana’s attorney general to finish an independent review. He maintained that the goal was to restore public confidence in law enforcement, not just to clear a name. All throughout Louisiana, that demand for accountability struck a deep chord, igniting conversations about transparency and systemic change.
Wider concerns about how athletes are handled in tragic situations were also brought up by Ory’s defense. The pressure to preserve one’s reputation and career can frequently become intolerable. The combination of fame and accusation proved fatal in Lacy’s case. Ory’s account of their last chats showed a man who was extremely offended by how people saw him, which serves as a reminder that justice also requires empathy.
Ory fought against the impersonality of the legal system by constantly making his client feel like a person. His insistence on independent evidence review was especially helpful in setting a precedent that police and prosecutors must permit public accountability in cases where mistakes may have been made. His resolve demonstrated compassion and bravery, two traits that are frequently lacking in legal discourse.
Ory remained firm, saying that the new video “did not contradict but actually confirmed” his interpretation, even after the State Police released more footage supporting their claims. He insisted that investigators failed to consider important pieces of evidence, such as an uninterviewed possible passenger in Lacy’s vehicle. He claimed that such details were minor but incredibly telling—a pattern of carelessness that required examination.
