He'll straighten it out.
Posted on 12/28/2006 2:57:01 PM PST by NormsRevenge
NEW ORLEANS - Seven police officers were indicted Thursday on murder or attempted murder charges in a pair of shootings on a bridge that left two people dead during the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
The district attorney portrayed the officers as trigger happy.
"We cannot allow our police officers to shoot and kill our citizens without justification like rabid dogs," District Attorney Eddie Jordan said.
The shootings took place under murky circumstances six days after the storm and became one of the most widely cited examples of the anarchy that descended after Katrina.
Two young men were killed and four people wounded on the Danziger Bridge, which spans the Industrial Canal.
At the time, the sweltering city was still littered with corpses as rescuers tried to evacuate stranded residents and looters ransacked stores.
Police initially said the Sept. 4, 2005, shootings occurred after shots were fired at Army Corps of Engineers workers.
According to a police report, several officers responded to a radio call that two fellow officers had been hurt. When they arrived, seven people were seen running, and four began firing at police, the report said. The officers returned fire.
The victims were Ronald Madison, a 40-year-old mentally retarded man, and James Barsett, 19. The coroner said Madison was shot seven times, with five wounds in the back.
Sgt. Kenneth Bowen and officers Robert Faulcon, Anthony Villavaso and Robert Gisevius were charged with murder. Officers Robert Barrios, Mike Hunter and Ignatius Hills were charged with attempted murder.
___
Associated Press Writer Stacey Plaisance contributed to this report.
"...and four began firing at police..."
If so, it would appear that the police were justified in firing back.
"We cannot allow our police officers to shoot and kill our citizens without justification like rabid dogs,"
I'm glad he hasn't made any public comments that might prejudice the officers' chances of a fair trial.
""...and four began firing at police..."
If so, it would appear that the police were justified in firing back."
Thats according to the police report. According to the article the grand jury foreman said "Do you understand the word coverup?"
Sounds like they were some of the few New Orleans cops trying to do their jobs at the time, instead of looting Wal-Mart.
Well, I think they all got new Cadillacs and a free trip to Vegas.
Ruh Roh!
I believe i recall this incident.Weren't the police fired on first?Oops i forgot,this is the AP.Don't let facts get in the way of a juicy article.
If so, it would appear that the police were justified in firing back.
One small problem, produce the gun used in the alleged firing and are evidence of same.
The report also said, 'Buck W. was seen firing.' D'ya see how easy it is?
The report also din not specify if the victims were shot before or after their guns were confiscated.
Either we are equal or we are not. Good people ought to be armed where they will, with wits and guns.
I'm glad he hasn't made any public comments that might prejudice the officers' chances of a fair trial.
Yup...justice at work in The Big Easy.
Right up there with the rapes and murders at the metrodome.
Paging Shep...oh Sheeeeeep...
He'll straighten it out.
Obviously a District Attorney from the Nifong school.
The majority were decent cops, sure, but I ask if they were all so decent then why were *all* of them executing numerous illegal orders?
I deny any personal complicity in this matter.
That's easy, too.
bkmrk
ping
Fudd's First Law of Opposition.
"Had I been in New Orleans..."
Yeah, yeah...
I know people who WERE there and it ain't like you say.
"Fudd's First Law of Opposition."
Very good! Now, can you state Teslacle's deviant to Fudd's Law?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.