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In 'Houdini handcuff' shooting death, DA won't file charges
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune ^ | 2/5/16 | Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Posted on 02/05/2016 4:17:23 PM PST by BBell

In a case that critics derided as a "Houdini handcuff" suicide, prosecutors have decided not to press criminal charges in the death of Victor White III, a 22-year old man who authorities said shot himself to death while handcuffed in the back of a New Iberia police car. The office of Louisiana's 16th Judicial District attorney, Bo Duhé, said Friday (Feb. 5) that the investigation by State Police and the FBI indicated no "sufficient credible evidence" to bring criminal charges against anyone involved in the case.

The death of White drew national scrutiny because of its unusual circumstances and inconsistencies, prompting calls by the African American man's family and civil rights attorneys for a federal investigation. The FBI conducted its own inquiry and, along with other federal agencies, found no wrongdoing, the district attorney's office said.

An Iberia Parish deputy sheriff took White into custody March 3, 2014, shortly after midnight because he was found to be in possession of cocaine and marijuana. He was handcuffed and placed in the back seat of a police car. Deputies said they later heard a gunshot from the car and found White slumped in the back seat with a gunshot wound to the upper right chest.

State Police collected evidence and recovered a .25-caliber pistol, which was later determined to have fired the fatal bullet. Tests indicated White had gunshot residue on his hands, according to a statement from the district attorney's office.

An autopsy performed by Dr. Christopher Tape, a forensic pathologist with Louisiana Forensic Center LLC, determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the chest. The statement says the pathologist concluded: "The injuries on the body are consistent with a contact gunshot wound from a small caliber handgun and are possible to be self-inflicted even with hands handcuffed behind

(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: Louisiana
KEYWORDS: blm; houdinihandcuff; newiberia; victorwhiteiii
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To: Tijeras_Slim

Did he get his gun back after being released from jail?


21 posted on 02/05/2016 6:12:05 PM PST by Redcitizen
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To: Mark17

Totally makes sense to search for weapons before proceeding any further.


22 posted on 02/05/2016 6:16:54 PM PST by Redcitizen
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Free Republic Caucus 2016 02/05

23 posted on 02/05/2016 6:49:08 PM PST by DoughtyOne (the Free Republic Caucus: what FReepers are thinking, 100s or 1000s of them. It's up to you.)
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