City's murder rate is 30 percent higher than any other U.S. city NEW ORLEANS - In the last week more Americans have died in New Orleans than in Iraq. Since Dec. 29, there have been eight military deaths. In the Big Easy, there have been 14 murders. Among the latest victims: Helen Hill, a 36-year-old mother shot in her home in front of her husband and 2-year-old. "She was just such a wonderful person," says friend Sheri Branch, "the brightest spot of New Orleans to me." The killers are growing more brazen, striking in broad daylight and using assault rifles,...
