Monday, August 08, 2011

LAW - Post-Katrina Shooting Trial

"New Orleans Officers Convicted in Killings: a Turning Point for a Healing City?" PBS Newshour 8/5/2011

Excerpt from transcript

JUDY WOODRUFF (Newshour): In the chaos following the historic flooding from 2005's Hurricane Katrina, another tragedy unfolded. One week after Katrina's initial blow to New Orleans, police shot six unarmed people on the city's Danziger Bridge after officers said they were responding to the distress call of another shooting.

Two of those six were killed: 17-year old James Brissette and a 40-year old mentally disabled man, Ronald Madison. Madison was killed when police chased him and his brother Lance, who was with him as they tried to find safe haven. Lance Madison was later arrested and accused of firing at police, according to prosecutors.

But today in federal court, a jury convicted a former police officer, a retired sergeant and three current members of the New Orleans Police Department, all on charges stemming from a cover-up. All but one were convicted of civil rights violations connected with the shootings as well.

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