If that story is true - it is bad and wrong to turn women with children away- even if it was a result of the screwed up local NO authorities. But I have a hard time believing the Times. I have read that it was the Media who were telling people it was an evac route- so I wonder about that. I was looking to see if charges were brought up and I couldn't find anything on it. And there is no Jesse Jackson invlovelment- which I am aware of- and IMO if this were true wouldn't he be invloved-this would be a perfect story for him.
Personally, I'd tend to believe the Guardsmen, though they could have been misquoted. Based on everything we've read about the tragedy, I'm certain a group of 200 included potential looters, drug addicts, children, the infirm, and just plain poor people.
This is a good story for Jessie.
As to charges, these are all government officials. From top to bottom barring proveable malice, they're likely clear of the grossest negligence, .